South Carolina’s softball team, ranked 13th nationally, lost two games against top-20 opponents at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Friday in Cathedral City, California. The Gamecocks fell to No. 10 Nebraska with a score of 9-1 in five innings and later lost to No. 18 Oregon, 2-1.
In the first game against Nebraska, South Carolina managed only one run, which came from Arianna Rodi’s solo home run in the fourth inning—her fourth of the season. Nebraska took control after a South Carolina error in the third inning led to four runs. The Cornhuskers added five more runs in the fifth to end the game early under the run rule.
Pitcher Nealy Lamb recorded her first loss of the season for South Carolina. She struck out two batters and allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit over just over two innings.
In their matchup with Oregon, South Carolina gave up both runs in the second inning following an error and a single by Oregon. The Gamecocks scored their only run when Tori Ensley hit her third home run of the year during the fifth inning.
Nealy Lamb entered relief for South Carolina with bases loaded and no outs in the sixth but was able to retire three consecutive batters without allowing any further damage. In their half of the sixth, Quincee Lilio doubled and Karley Shelton singled to put runners on base but could not tie or take the lead.
Jori Heard was charged with her first loss despite pitching five innings without giving up an earned run. Lamb finished out strong over two innings, striking out two and allowing no hits.
South Carolina will finish its tournament play on Saturday against No. 9 UCLA and Saint Mary’s starting at 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
For more updates on South Carolina Softball, fans can visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow @GamecockSoftbll on Twitter, /GamecockSoftball on Facebook, and @GamecockSoftball on Instagram.
