No. 14 Gamecocks Sweep Doubleheader Against No. 19 Alabama

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 14/12 South Carolina softball team (39-14, 13-11) swept a doubleheader against No. 19/14 Alabama (36-20, 12-12) Saturday (May 3) to close out the regular season. The Gamecocks took a 3-1 victory in first game and a 7-2 win in the second.

For head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, it marked her 39th win of the season, the most in a season for a first-year head coach in program history.

Game 1

The second game of the series and first of the doubleheader began Friday night. The teams played two innings before the game was suspended due to inclement weather.

In the first two innings Friday, Gress punched a pair of strikeouts following a Senior Day celebration that honored her and six fellow teammates pregame. Lexi Winters put the Gamecocks on the board with a three-run home run to left field in the bottom of the first.

When play resumed Saturday morning, Gress picked up right where she left off. She tallied three more strikeouts and allowed no walks to finish off her complete game. Over seven innings Gress (12-8) scattered five hits and finished with five strikeouts.

Game 2

Gress sat the Crimson Tide down in order in the first inning to kick off the final game of the series. She was relieved by Nealy Lamb after Alabama scored a run in the top of the second.

Lamb (10-3) got the win, going 3 2-3 innings with a strikeout and no walks allowed.

The Carolina offense was alive early, scoring five runs in the bottom of the second. Brooke Blankenship, Abigail Knight and Emma Sellers drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Emily Vinson brought the first pair home with an two-run single up the middle. Quincee Lilio and Karley Shelton extended the Gamecock lead from there, with a two-run double to center and RBI single up the middle, respectively.

Carolina scored two more in the bottom of the fourth with back-to-back RBI singles from Winters and Ella Chancey.

The Gamecocks and Crimson Tide were delayed again in the bottom of the fifth inning due to lightning in the area. With more inclement weather in the forecast, the decision was made to call the game in the bottom of the fifth with a final score of 7-2.

South Carolina earns its fifth SEC series of the season, and its sixth series win over a ranked opponent.

Next up, the Gamecocks will travel to Athens, Georgia to open the SEC Tournament. They will play the winner of Alabama and Auburn Wednesday at approximately 8:00 p.m. (35 minutes after game 6).

For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.