South Carolina Softball Ties Program Record with Dominant Win Over Youngstown State
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Gamecocks Athletics) – The No. 11 South Carolina softball team (20-0) made history Wednesday night (March 5), matching the program’s best-ever start by securing a 10-2 run-rule victory over Youngstown State (2-16). The 20-0 record ties the 1976 squad for the longest undefeated start in school history.
Quincee Lilio, Brooke Blankenship, Lexi Winters, and Abigail Knight each delivered two hits, while Arianna Rodi led the team with three RBIs. Lilio was a force on the base paths, scoring three runs and extending her season total of multi-hit games to 12. Knight recorded her 10th multi-hit game of the season.
Olivia Kotowski got the start in the circle, earning her first career strikeout in the opening frame. She bounced back after Youngstown State plated two early runs.
Rodi’s Power Surge Continues
Reigning SEC Co-Player of the Week Arianna Rodi wasted no time showcasing her power, smashing a three-run home run in the bottom of the first. The blast—her team-leading ninth homer of the season—gave the Gamecocks the lead for good. Impressively, Rodi has now homered in five consecutive games.
Natalie Heath joined the home run party in the second inning, launching a solo shot to left field, her second of the season. Brooke Blankenship followed with an RBI infield single, scoring Quincee Lilio, who had extended her hitting streak to 19 games with a double to right-center. Lilio has now reached base in all 20 games this season.
Lamb and Becker Shut the Door
Nealy Lamb took over in the third and struck out the side to quickly end the inning. She improved to 5-0 on the season, throwing two scoreless innings without allowing a baserunner.
The Gamecocks added three more runs in the fourth inning thanks to hits from Lexi Winters and Quincee Lilio, as well as a sacrifice fly from Karley Shelton.
Kadie Becker sealed the victory in the fifth, needing just nine pitches to retire the side in order, securing South Carolina’s 12th run-rule win of the season.
Ella Chancey drew two walks, extending her on-base streak to 20 games.
What’s Next?
The Gamecocks now shift their focus to SEC play, where they’ll face a tough challenge on the road against No. 2 Oklahoma. The series kicks off Friday (March 7) at 7:30 p.m. ET.
