South Carolina softball continues perfect start to season with five wins at Carolina Classic

This past extended weekend, the South Carolina softball team played five games in four days. For the second week in a row, the Gamecocks finished the weekend with five additional victories.

But there was one major difference between South Carolina’s performances across both weeks. None of the Gamecocks’ five contests from Feb. 13 to Feb. 16 lasted past the sixth inning. They accomplished the feat just once during their opening weekend.

South Carolina’s five victories in the Carolina Classic catapulted the team to a 10-0 start to the 2025 season, continuing its extended winning streak to begin the Ashley Chastain Woodard era. The Gamecocks’ offensive and pitching prowess were both on display, as it out-scored opponents 53-3 across 27 innings of action.

Here’s how the Gamecocks followed up an undefeated showing at the Gamecock Invitational with another at the Carolina Classic.

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Game one versus Georgia State

South Carolina’s bats started blazing in its tournament opener Thursday night against Georgia State. A 10-run fourth inning pushed the Gamecocks above the NCAA threshold for a run-rule win (a lead of eight or more runs in the fifth frame or later), which came by a 13-0 score.

South Carolina amassed 11 total hits in the contest, including six in the fourth inning alone. But none of the team’s runs were generated from home runs – a “small ball” approach allowed it to advance runners around the bases.

Quincee Lilio, who went 9-14 with a .750 on-base percentage during the Gamecock Invitational, began her second weekend of games as a Gamecock with a 3-3 display. In addition to drawing a walk, Lilio drove in four runs and scored two herself. Both Lexi Winters and Abigail Knight logged multiple hits in the contest, too.

Two of Winters’ and Knights’ former teammates at Charlotte – Kadie Becker and Sam Gress – led the charge in the circle. Becker earned her second win with South Carolina after allowing just four hits across 3 2/3 scoreless innings pitched. Gress closed the game with a perfect four-out outing.

Game two versus Georgia State

South Carolina kicked off a Valentine’s Day doubleheader with a dominant victory over the Panthers – this time, by winning 9-1.

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The Gamecocks had already developed a lengthy advantage by the end of the first inning. After Lilio and Karley Shelton reached base via walks, Arianna Rodi launched a three-run home run deep into right-center field.

Although Georgia State answered with a run of its own in the top of the second, South Carolina stayed ahead with help from Nealy Lamb in the circle. Relieving starter Olivia Kotowski, who got herself into a second-inning jam, Lamb pitched 4 1/3 no-hit innings and struck out seven batters in the process.

The Gamecocks saw the majority of their offense in the sixth inning, where they scored five runs. The team clinched a run-rule win after Ella Chancey capped off a 2-4, 2-RBI performance with a double that brought Rodi home to score.

Game three versus Miami-Ohio

South Carolina faced a unique opponent in the nightcap of its Friday night doubleheader. Despite it competing against a new team, the outcome was the same – the home team won 8-0.

The Gamecocks’ offense as a whole was not as productive as it was in previous contests. They went a combined 5-21 (.238) at the plate, and no player earned more than one hit. But they still generated more than enough runs with long balls.

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In the bottom of the third, Rodi faced a situation similar to one she encountered against Georgia State a few hours earlier. Both Lilio and Shelton were on second and first base, respectively, but advanced one base each after a wild pitch. That advancement ultimately did not matter, as Rodi hit another three-run home run that cleared the bases.

South Carolina’s other home run came in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the sixth. After Lilio reached base again via a walk, Shelton brought her home with a long fly ball that sailed over the right-field fence, helping the Gamecocks earn another run-rule victory.

Jori Heard‘s strong pitching only helped South Carolina earn the win. After tossing 15 innings of one-run ball throughout three Gamecock Invitational appearances, Heard allowed just four hits and two walks while accumulating nine punchouts across six scoreless frames.

Game four versus Miami-Ohio

The Gamecocks engaged in a rematch with the RedHawks in their lone game on Saturday. Despite giving up two runs, the highest offensive output it allowed in any game that weekend, they still scored 12 of their own to keep their perfect season alive.

Much like its tournament opener, South Carolina scored the overwhelming majority of its runs – 11 of them, to be specific – in the fourth inning. The Gamecocks’ offense remained productive despite Lilio, Shelton and Rodi going a combined 1-3 at the top of the lineup. That’s because the trio generated nine total walks and accounted for five runs scored.

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Gress also delivered a solid performance in the circle. The lone hurler to appear in the contest, she allowed five hits and two runs across five innings pitched.

Game five versus Appalachian State

South Carolina finished its five-game weekend with its third shutout of the weekend and sixth of the campaign, defeating Appalachian State 11-0 on Sunday. The Gamecocks delivered an all-around performance, with positive hitting and pitching leading the team to victory.

At the plate, South Carolina’s batters went a combined 10-22 (.455) and generated eight walks. All 11 of the team’s runs were spread across two innings – four in the third, and seven in the fourth.

In the circle, Lamb and Heard combined to throw a two-hitter. Neither pitcher allowed a walk, while they both collectively totaled seven strikeouts.

Next up

With an undefeated record in tow, South Carolina will play its first true mid-week game of the season when it takes on North Carolina at Beckham Field on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network Plus.

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