Gamecocks Tie Best Start in Program History

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 11 South Carolina softball team (20-0) tied the program record for wins to start a season as the Gamecocks defeated Youngstown State (2-16) in run-rule fashion with a final score of 10-2 Wednesday (March 5). The 20-0 start ties the 1976 team for the best start in program history.

Quincee Lilio, Brooke Blankenship, Lexi Winters, and Abigail Knight all finished with two hits on the night. Arianna Rodi led the way with three RBIs, while Lilio led Carolina with three runs scored. It was Lilio’s 12th multi-hit game of the season, while it was Knight’s 10th.

Olivia Kotowski started in the circle and notched her first career strikeout in the first inning. The strikeout came after the Penguins scored a pair of runs.

Reigning SEC Co-Player of the Week Arianna Rodi continued to prove her power, blasting a three-run home run in the bottom of the first. Her team-leading ninth homer of the season gave the Gamecocks the lead, which they would maintain for the rest of the game. She has now homered in five straight games.

Natalie Heath led off the bottom of the second with a home run of her own, hitting a solo shot to left field, her second of the season. Brooke Blankenship followed it up with an RBI infield single, scoring Quincee Lilio. Lilio had reached base with a double to right center, extending her hitting streak to 19 games. She’s reached base in all 20 games this season.

Nealy Lamb relieved Kotowski in the top of the third and immediately struck out the side to end the inning. Lamb secured the win and improved to 5-0 on the season, throwing two innings and not allowing a batter to reach.

A pair of hits from Lexi Winters and Lilio, as well as a sacrifice fly from Karley Shelton, scored three more runners in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Kadie Becker needed just nine pitches to close out the win with a scoreless three-up, three-down fifth. Becker secured South Carolina’s 12th run-rule victory of the season.

Ella Chancey drew a pair of walks on the night, extending her on-base streak to 20 games.

The Gamecocks hit the road to open SEC play with a series against No. 2 Oklahoma starting Friday (March 7) at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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.