Gamecocks Lose, Face Winner-Take-All Game Against UCLA Softball

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The South Carolina Gamecocks softball team suffered a tough 5-4 defeat to UCLA in the second game of their Super Regional series, held at Carolina Softball Stadium on Saturday evening. The loss means the Gamecocks must win a decisive game on Sunday to clinch the series and advance to the Women’s College World Series.

The Gamecocks started strong with a run in the opening inning, thanks to star catcher Lexi Winters, whose single allowed Quincee Lilio to score. The teams remained quiet at the plate until the fifth inning when Winters struck again, hitting a two-RBI single after an error and a hit by pitch added to the pressure on the Bruins.

UCLA responded in the bottom of the fifth inning; Sofia Mujica made her mark with a solo home run, bringing the score to 3-1. The Gamecocks added another run in the sixth inning when Lilio’s infield single allowed Brooke Blankenship to come home.

On the mound, Sam Gress was credited with the win for South Carolina, striking out two batters in just over three innings. Jori Heard, the starting pitcher, also performed well despite allowing the Bruins’ two runs, totaling three strikeouts in her outing.

However, the game took a dramatic turn in the final inning. UCLA’s Kaitlyn Terry hit a triple that drove in a run, and Savannah Pola followed with a single that tightened the score to 4-3. The atmosphere shifted completely when Jordan Woolery hit a two-run walk-off home run, securing the victory for UCLA.

The Gamecocks will now prepare for the winner-take-all showdown against UCLA on Sunday, knowing a victory will send them to Oklahoma City for the Women’s College World Series.