The South Carolina Gamecocks softball team, ranked No. 23 nationally, will host Boston College for a three-game series from March 13 to March 15 during their bye weekend from Southeastern Conference play.
This matchup offers both teams an opportunity to compete outside of their respective conferences and gives fans several themed events throughout the weekend. Friday’s game will feature Space Cowboy Night with cowboy hats for the first 200 fans. Saturday is Junior Gamecock Club and Josey Marron Day, with buttons for the first 100 attendees, while Sunday celebrates Little League and Sage Scarmardo Day with more giveaways.
South Carolina leads the all-time series against Boston College, holding a 5-1 advantage. The last meeting between the two teams took place on February 21, 2020, when South Carolina won in extra innings. The Gamecocks enter the series with a record of 16-10 overall and are led by head coach Ashley Woodard in her second season. Key players include Karley Shelton, who leads in batting average (.420) and runs batted in (29), Arianna Rodi with six home runs, Jori Heard leading in earned run average (1.26) and strikeouts (47), and Emma Friedel with six wins.
Boston College comes into the series at 9-15 under first-year head coach Beth Krysiak. Abby Ptak leads their offense with a .425 batting average, while Emma Knight has driven in 24 runs and hit six home runs this season.
The Gamecocks have shown strong performance both historically and this season. They are currently ranked No. 23 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and No. 24 by USA Softball/ESPN as well as D1Softball. Their strength of schedule ranks tenth nationally, and they stand at twenty-eighth in the initial Ratings Percentage Index of the year. Notably, Arianna Rodi recently hit her fiftieth career home run against Queens on May 1 and ranks among active NCAA leaders in both home runs and walks.
South Carolina has maintained consistent success at home since moving into Carolina Softball Stadium in 2013, posting a .713 winning percentage there. The program has also been among national leaders in attendance over recent years.
Looking ahead, South Carolina will continue its busy spring break stretch with five games over six days as part of eight games played within ten days.
