News Summary
The No. 8 Gamecocks were defeated by No. 9 UCLA 5-0 in the final game of the Columbia Super Regional, marking the end of their season. This loss halted South Carolina’s hopes of reaching the Women’s College World Series for the first time since 1997. Despite a solid season, the Gamecocks struggled against UCLA’s strong pitching and faced challenges in their attempts to score. Coach Woodard expressed pride in the team’s achievements despite the setback, highlighting the progress made throughout the season.
Columbia, South Carolina – The No. 8 Gamecocks’ dreams of reaching the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) were dashed as they fell 5-0 to No. 9 UCLA in game three of the Columbia Super Regional. The decisive match occurred at Carolina Softball Stadium, marking the end of South Carolina’s season, which concluded with an impressive overall record of 44-17.
With this victory, UCLA advanced to the WCWS in Oklahoma City, continuing their tradition of excellence in collegiate softball. The Gamecocks, on the other hand, aimed for a WCWS appearance for the first time since 1997. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard, South Carolina overcame expectations after being predicted to finish last in the Southeastern Conference at the start of the season.
UCLA took an early lead in the game with a single from Jordan Woolery, giving them a 1-0 advantage. South Carolina pitcher Sam Gress encountered challenges early on, loading the bases with no outs in the first inning. However, she was able to navigate through the pressure and escape the inning without further damage. Gress pitched a total of 4.2 innings, allowing five hits and two runs before being relieved by Jori Heard in the fifth inning.
UCLA solidified their lead in the fifth inning with another RBI single from Woolery, extending the score to 2-0. Despite South Carolina’s attempts to rally, including their best scoring opportunity in the bottom of the sixth, the Gamecocks fell short with a strikeout at a critical moment. Wind conditions also played a factor, as two near home runs were held to fly outs.
In the seventh inning, Heard struggled on the mound, giving up three runs on five hits, ultimately leading to South Carolina’s defeat. She pitched 1.2 innings and allowed two earned runs before Nealy Lamb took over, managing to handle a bases-loaded situation in the final moments of the game.
UCLA’s pitcher Kaitlyn Terry effectively limited South Carolina’s offense, allowing only two hits throughout her outing. The Gamecocks faced a tough series against UCLA, having won the first game 9-2 before losing the second encounter 5-4. Overall, the Super Regional series exemplified a season of growth for South Carolina’s softball program, as they achieved records for RBIs, runs, walks, and doubles in a single season.
UCLA, now with a record of 54-11, will be heading into the WCWS to compete against 16-seed Oregon in their opening match. The Bruins’ softball legacy is remarkable, boasting 32 appearances in the WCWS and a record of 12 national titles, the most in NCAA history.
Although the Gamecocks fell short of their goal to reach the World Series, Coach Woodard expressed pride in the progress made by the program throughout the season. The team celebrated making its first Super Regional appearance since 2018, signaling growth and potential for future seasons ahead.
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HERE Resources
South Carolina Softball Team Advances to NCAA Super Regionals
Additional Resources
- On3: South Carolina Softball Eligibility
- Wikipedia: South Carolina Gamecocks Softball
- The State: South Carolina Softball Overview
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Sports Illustrated: South Carolina Season Review
- Google News: South Carolina Softball
