The South Carolina softball team captured a 6-4 win in its first exhibition game of the preseason on Sunday at Beckham Field.
The Gamecocks' come-from-behind victory over Wofford marked head coach Ashley Chastain's first unofficial win with the program.
Sunday's exhibition game lasted 10 innings, which is longer than the traditional seven. South Carolina headed into the bottom of the eighth inning down 4-3, but redshirt junior infielder Natalie Heath hit a two-run home run to deep left to seal the win.
Heath wasn’t the only player who made timely hits – senior infielder Ella Chancey and sixth-year outfielder Abigail Knight both had line drives that led to runs.
Not only were the Gamecocks' bats on display, their gloves were too. Senior infielder Brooke Blankenship made a strong defensive play in the third inning, and South Carolina's starting outfielders, sixth-year Abigail knight, Senior Emily Vinson, and redshirt Junior Quincee Lilio went the entire game without committing an error. Blankenship also backed up junior pitcher Jori Heard in the top of the third, hitting the ball down the middle of the field.
Sophomore pitcher Nealy Lamb was the Gamecocks' primary contributor in the circle, recording three strikeouts and no earned runs across two innings of play. Heard collected an additional two strikeouts in her two innings pitched.
First look at the Gamecocks
Saturday's exhibition was the first of five preseason games for South Carolina. These games run through Oct. 28, which is when the Garnet and Black World Series takes place.
Not only was the game against Wofford the first of the preseason, but it also provided associate head coach Katie Browder, assistant coach Jody Davidson and assistant coach Zack Parsons to coach their first game at Beckham field.
Transfers make early impact
During the offseason, the Gamecocks obtained multiple transfers from the portal. Chancey, Lamb, sixth-year pitcher Sam Gress, redshirt junior infieldier Quincee Lilio, junior infielder Arianna Rodi and junior catcher Lexi Winters make up the No. 10 transfer portal class in the country, according to Softball America.
Many of these players made important contributions in the team's win against Wofford.
Lilio hit a stand-up double in the first inning, which was South Carolina's first hit of the afternoon. Two batters later, Chaney hit an RBI single that brought Lilio home to score and to help the Gamecocks take an early lead.
Gress, a two-way player, recorded one strikeout in her two innings pitched, but she also drew a walk in the second inning when making an appearance at the plate.
Winters caught the first four innings for the Gamecocks and showed off her arm on multiple throws to second base, while also drawing one walk and hitting an RBI double in the fourth inning.
Gamecock pitching, defense holds Terriers to eight scoreless innings
This is Wofford's second season with a softball program. Despite most players returning, the team still fell to the Gamecocks in a 10-inning contest.
Strong pitching and defense from the Gamecocks held a hard-hitting Wofford to just five hits throughout the game. Much of that damage came in the sixth and eighth innings, which were the only two frames in which the Terriers brought runners home.
What’s next?
South Carolina will return to Beckham Field on Saturday for another exhibition game – this time, against USC Beaufort at 1 p.m.