Gamecocks Take Down Titans, Advance to Regional Final – University of South Carolina Athletics
LOS ANGELES – The No. 7 seed South Carolina softball team (32-27) advanced to the NCAA Regional Final for the fourth straight season as the Gamecocks defeated Cal State Fullerton (41-15) Saturday evening (May 16) 4-2 in an elimination game of the Los Angeles Regional.
Tori Ensley and Tate Davis led Carolina with a 2-for-3 night. Davis also led the way with two RBIs. Quincee Lilio scored twice to lead the team.
The Gamecocks scored first with a run in the top of the third. After a leadoff single by Lilio and a double from Ensley, Davis brought home Lilio on a sacrifice fly to center.
The Titans gained the lead in the fourth with a pair of runs with two outs.
South Carolina didn’t waste any time and answered with two runs of its own in the top of the fifth to regain the lead. Lilio walked and after a sacrifice bunt by Ensley moved her to second, she scored on a double to left center by Karley Shelton. Davis reached on an infield single, and Lexi Winters brought home Shelton with a single to center.
The Gamecocks put the finishing touches on the victory in the seventh thanks to an Ensley single and a double by Davis to bring her home.
Emma Friedel (11-6) earned the win in relief, tossing 3 1-3 shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out four. Jori Heard started and went 3 2-3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits.
The Gamecocks advance to the Regional Final where they will have a rematch with UCLA at 7:30 p.m. ET. Carolina can force a winner take all game with a win in game one against the Bruins.
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.
