The South Carolina Gamecocks' Black softball sub-team defeated the Garnet squad 15-1 in the first of the two-game Garnet & Black World Series on Tuesday afternoon at Beckham Field.
The team was split into Black and Garnet squads. Black featured returning players such as junior infielder Karley Shelton, senior catcher Lexi Winters, sophomore outfielder Nia McKnight and redshirt senior outfielder Quincee Lilio. Garnet included sophomore infielder Shae Anderson, senior infielder Arianna Rodi, redshirt senior infielder Natalie Heath and junior pitcher Nealy Lamb.
Black struck first and never looked back. The bats stayed consistent, putting up three or more runs each inning. The offense rolled behind two home runs and a steady stream of 16 base hits.
Garnet struggled to respond, managing just three hits and a single run. The matchup only lasted four and two-thirds innings due to the run-rule.
Power on display
Black established their power early in the game when junior infielder Florida transfer Alyssa Hovermale hit a two-run home run in the first against Garnet’s freshman starter KG Favors .
The team continued to hit for power when sophomore infielder Tate Davis, a first-year transfer from Ole Miss, crushed a three-run homer in the top of the second. Davis later added two more runs-batted-in with a double in the third, as she and Hovermale combined for a total of seven RBIs on the day.
Winters steps up
Winters also proved to be a driving force for her team both in front of and behind the plate. She delivered crucial hits that drove in runs when it mattered most, including a two-run single in the first and a fourth-inning double that kept the offense rolling.
As the team’s catcher, Winters played a key role in the commanding pitching performance by Black. Her leadership behind the plate guided junior starting pitcher Emma Friedel (a first-year transfer from Kennesaw State), sophomore pitcher Julie Kelly (a first-year transfer from Kentucky) and freshman utility player Ansley Bennett to stay in control and limit Garnet to only three hits.
Aggressive baserunning
Black’s constant pressure on the base paths put it in scoring position and consistently dictated the momentum all game.
In the first, Bennett put herself in scoring position by stealing second after reaching first on a fielder’s choice, setting up a run on Winters' single.
McKnight’s ability to steal both second and third base, as well as Lilio stealing second in the top of the third, brought them in on a sacrifice fly and a double.
Delay of game
Garnet’s starting pitcher, Favors, threw three innings and started the fourth trailing 11-1. However, on a line drive hit by McKnight straight back to the circle, the freshman pitcher was helped off the field with an injury.
The game was roughly delayed twenty minutes while the team tended to Favors. When the game resumed, Lamb took the mound. She ended the inning having given up three runs.
What’s next?
South Carolina will return to Beckham Field at 3 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon to finish the Garnet & Black World Series.