No. 10 South Carolina softball visited Norman, Oklahoma, this past weekend to face the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners in a heavyweight three-game series. The Gamecocks were swept by the Sooners in Oklahoma's first-ever SEC series as a member of the conference.
The Gamecocks and Sooners entered the series as the final two undefeated teams in Division I, as they held perfect 20-0 and 19-0 records, respectively.
Oklahoma has solidified itself as one of the greatest softball programs of all time, winning the past four NCAA championships and seven since 2013. The Sooners entered the South Carolina series with a 254-15 record since the 2021 season.
The Sooners, along with the Texas Longhorns, joined the SEC this past offseason. This was the first time the Sooners and Gamecocks faced off since March 2018.
Here's a recap of the games:
Gamecocks drop first game of the season
The Sooners drew first blood on Friday night, scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning. Sixth-year pitcher Sam Gress worked her way out of a jam to begin the game, forcing a flyout to end the inning while stranding two Sooner baserunners.
South Carolina was quick to respond in the top of the second inning, scoring five runs of its own thanks to RBI singles by junior catcher Lexi Winters and sophomore infielder Karley Shelton.
Sooner junior pitcher Kierston Deal, who only allowed four runs in 2025 prior to her start against the Gamecocks, gave up six hits and six runs in four innings.
Oklahoma redshirt junior catcher Isabela Emerling responded with a two-run home run in the bottom of the second, cutting South Carolina’s lead to 5-3. In the bottom of the third, a three-run home run by Oklahoma’s freshman infielder Gabbie Garcia gave the Sooners a 6-5 lead over South Carolina, putting an end to Gress’ night after 2.0 innings pitched.
Junior pitcher Jori Heard worked her way out of the third inning thanks to two strikeouts and a ground out after the Sooners loaded the bases with zero outs.
South Carolina knotted the game back up at six in the top of the fifth inning when Winters brought freshman outfielder Chloe Lackey home on a sacrifice fly.
The Gamecocks didn’t remain tied much longer, as Emerling responded once again with her second two-run home run of the game, extending the Sooners' lead to 8-6 in the bottom of the fifth inning.
An inning later, a two-RBI double by Oklahoma’s redshirt junior outfielder Hannah Coor then added two insurance runs to extend its lead to 10-6. The Sooners’ 10 runs are the most that the Gamecocks have allowed all season.
After two Gamecock batters got on base to start the seventh inning, Winters hit a three-run home run to cut the Sooners' lead to one with zero outs. Winters ended the game three-for-three at the plate while tallying five RBIs.
The four-run deficit entering the final inning of the game was proven to be too much for the Gamecocks to conquer as the next three batters failed to get on base.
Oklahoma prevailed over the Gamecocks in 10-9 fashion to kick off SEC play, resulting in the Sooners being the last remaining undefeated NCAA softball team.
Sooners, Gamecocks combine for eight home runs in offensive showdown
In a game where each team hit four home runs, the Gamecocks were defeated 10-9 during the first game of a doubleheader on March 9.
The Sooners' bats picked up right where they left off from game one of the series, scoring five runs in the first inning. The No. 1 Sooners quickly put an end to Heard’s day, homering off the Gamecock ace three times in the opening inning.
Sophomore pitcher Nealy Lamb replaced Heard and ended up pitching 3.2 innings for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina responded with two runs of its own in the top of the second inning, as sixth-year outfielder Abigail Knight and redshirt junior infielder Natalie Heath hit back-to-back solo home runs.
Oklahoma tacked on an additional run in the bottom of the third inning, extending its lead 6-2.
After the Gamecocks loaded the bases at the top of the fourth inning, senior infielder Ella Chancey cleared the bases with a grand slam to tie up the ball game for her first home run of the season.
A sacrifice fly by Knight scored senior infielder Brooke Blankenship later in the fourth inning, giving the Gamecocks their first lead of the game, 7-6.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Gamecocks rallied with two outs to extend their lead to 8-6. A hit by Chancey, followed by an error by Oklahoma's right fielder, allowed Lackey to score from first base.
The Sooners reclaimed a 9-8 lead later in the fifth inning with a three-run home run by redshirt freshman infielder Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, her second three-run home run of the game.
The game didn’t remain tied for long, as Heath hit her second solo home run of the game in the top of the sixth, tying the game at nine.
After entering the final inning of the game with a tied score, the Sooners won the game in walk-off fashion thanks to a game-winning base hit by Garcia, giving them a 10-9 victory.
In an offensive showdown that saw the Gamecocks record 14 hits and with all starters on base at least once, South Carolina dropped its second consecutive game to Oklahoma.
Sooners complete the sweep
In a low-scoring affair, the Sooners defeated the Gamecocks 2-1. The Gamecocks lost all three games in Oklahoma by one run.
Heard started both of the doubleheader games for the Gamecocks on March 9. The junior pitcher allowed one earned run on two hits in five innings the second time around.
The Sooners got on the board early by scoring two runs in the first inning off of RBI singles by McEnroe-Marinas and Garcia. Throughout the three-game series, Oklahoma cumulatively outscored South Carolina 8-0 in the first inning.
Heard went on to shut out the Sooners, keeping 12 consecutive Oklahoma batters from getting on base in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings.
Junior infielder Arianna Rodi started the scoring for the Gamecocks in the top of the fourth inning, hitting a solo home run. Rodi’s home run turned out to be the only offensive production the Gamecocks would get all game as they were held to just one run.
Oklahoma’s freshman pitcher Audrey Lowry pitched all seven innings for the Sooners, allowing just three hits to secure the win for the Sooners.
What's next?
South Carolina softball returns back to Beckham Field on March 12 to take on the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.