South Carolina Softball Punches Super Regional Ticket with Dominant Win Over North Florida
The South Carolina softball team is once again making history. For just the third time in program history, and the first time since 2018, the Gamecocks are headed to the NCAA Super Regionals—this time as hosts. Behind a commanding 8-0, five-inning victory over North Florida on Sunday, May 18, the No. 8 national seed Gamecocks (43-15) captured the Columbia Regional title in dominant fashion.
The victory came in run-rule fashion, echoing Carolina’s earlier matchup against North Florida in the tournament. Both teams were locked in a scoreless battle through the top of the fourth inning, but South Carolina’s offense exploded in the bottom half, seizing control and never looking back.
Ella Chancey sparked the momentum when she reached on an error and promptly stole second base. Brooke Blankenship followed with a clutch RBI single to plate Chancey for the first run of the game. Moments later, Abigail Knight delivered a key base hit of her own, driving in Blankenship and giving Carolina all the offense they would need.
Starting pitcher Sam Gress (13-9) was steady in the circle, tossing four shutout innings and allowing just three hits. Jori Heard came in to close the door in the fifth, pitching a clean inning and recording her third save of the season.
The offensive fireworks continued in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs, Karley Shelton lined a single to keep the inning alive, and Arianna Rodi followed with a powerful double to right-center. Shelton scored easily, and Rodi’s hit not only extended the lead but also set two new program records—marking the Gamecocks’ 324th RBI and 96th double of the season, both single-season highs.
Carolina wasn’t finished. Pinch runner Chloe Lackey crossed the plate on a Lexi Winters RBI single, and the Gamecocks tacked on more with back-to-back singles by Blankenship and Knight. Then, with the bases loaded and a 1-1 count, senior Emma Sellers sealed the victory with a walk-off single to left, enacting the run rule and setting off a celebration at Carolina Softball Stadium.
With the win, South Carolina clinches the right to host their first-ever NCAA Super Regional at home since the current postseason format began in 2005. They now await the arrival of the Los Angeles Regional champions, UCLA, with game dates and times to be announced soon.
Carolina fans can look forward to an electric atmosphere as the Gamecocks continue their postseason run, eyeing a trip to the Women’s College World Series.