South Carolina Defeats UCLA 9-2 in NCAA Softball Super Regional Opener

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 8 seed South Carolina softball team defeated No. 9 seed UCLA, 9-2, in the NCAA Super Regionals opener at Carolina Softball Stadium on Friday.

This victory sets up a crucial second game for UCLA, who will need to win to keep their season alive. The game is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT on Saturday and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

“We have a saying that you can only live in one time zone, so the past is as old as dirt; you have no control over,” said Shelly Carlin, head coach of UCLA. “Tomorrow, we have to be where our feet are. The plan is to come out here and win two ball games, and that plan doesn’t change.”

In the game, South Carolina scored early, accumulating five runs in the first two innings. Quincee Lilio opened the scoring with a walk, followed by a two-run homer from Lexi Winters. The Gamecocks kept the pressure on, as Ella Chancey was hit by a pitch and later scored on a Brooke Blankenship double.

UCLA managed to get on the board in the fourth inning after a double by Arianna Rodi drove in a pair of runs, but it was too late to change the momentum. Freshman Addisen Fisher faced challenges in her first postseason appearance, allowing four runs in her 4.1 innings of work.

Jori Heard, starting for South Carolina, held the Bruins scoreless for three innings and ended with three strikeouts. Sam Gress took over in the fourth and successfully shut down UCLA for the remainder of the game, preserving the win.

“We put ourselves in a good position and just have to finish strong tomorrow,” said Winters, who led the Gamecocks with two hits and three RBIs. The Gamecocks recorded a total of 11 hits and are now looking forward to potentially making it to Oklahoma City for the College World Series for the first time since 1997.

The next game promises to be an intense matchup, with both teams aiming for a chance at the championship title.