News Summary
In a heartbreaking finish, the South Carolina softball team lost 5-4 to UCLA in the Columbia Super Regional, one out away from the Women’s College World Series. The Gamecocks had a 4-1 lead but were unable to secure the win as the Bruins rallied in the seventh inning. A two-run walk-off home run by UCLA’s Jordan Woolery clinched the victory and eliminated South Carolina from a chance to advance. Despite the loss, the Gamecocks had a strong season, finishing with a 44-17 record under first-year coach Ashley Chastain Woodard.
Columbia, SC – In a stunning turn of events, the South Carolina softball team suffered a heart-wrenching 5-4 loss to UCLA in the Columbia Super Regional, falling just one out shy of reaching the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) for the first time since 1997. The Gamecocks were unable to hold onto a 4-1 lead as the Bruins scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, concluding a critical game that has now set up a decisive game three for a spot in the WCWS.
A game-changing moment came when Jordan Woolery hit a two-run walk-off home run, sealing UCLA’s victory and eliminating South Carolina from contention. The loss was a tough setback for first-year coach Ashley Chastain Woodard and her team, who showed resilience throughout the season but faced adversity in this crucial game.
The Gamecocks initially took the lead in the first inning, with Lexi Winters hitting a single that brought home Quincee Lilio for a 1-0 advantage. Starting pitcher Sam Gress showcased her talents by pitching four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out a batter, effectively escaping potential trouble.
South Carolina extended their lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning when Winters hit a two-RBI single with the bases loaded, putting the Gamecocks in a strong position. However, the momentum shifted slightly as Jori Heard, who replaced Gress in the fifth, allowed a solo home run to UCLA’s Sofia Mujica. This cut South Carolina’s lead to 3-1, suggesting that the Bruins were still in the contest.
The Gamecocks loaded the bases again in the sixth inning, and Lilio scored on a ground ball, pushing the lead to 4-1. Yet, an unfortunate base-running error by Karley Shelton prevented further runs from crossing the plate, leaving two runners stranded and foreshadowing trouble ahead.
In the seventh inning, Heard continued to struggle, issuing a walk and allowing two hits, bringing the score to 4-3 as UCLA narrowed the gap. As pressure mounted, Coach Woodard opted to bring Gress back into the game, attempting to quell UCLA’s rally. However, Woolery’s decisive home run marked the turning point, giving UCLA the victory and clinching their advancement to the Women’s College World Series.
This loss ended a strong season for South Carolina, who finished with a record of 44-17 under Woodard’s leadership. The Gamecocks had been predicted to finish last in the Southeastern Conference, yet they triumphed in exceeding expectations, making a deep postseason run characterized by their ability to perform under pressure.
The upcoming decisive game three is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m., and it will be broadcast on ESPN2, with the winner advancing to the Women’s College World Series. With their history at stake, South Carolina will aim to rebound from this heartbreaking loss and seize the opportunity to secure a berth in the prestigious tournament.
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Additional Resources
- Gamecocks Drop Heartbreaker to Force Game Three
- Wikipedia: South Carolina Gamecocks Softball
- Woolery’s Walk-Off Blast Completes Super Comeback Win over South Carolina
- Google Search: South Carolina softball
- UCLA vs South Carolina Game Summary
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Gamecocks softball
- UCLA Softball Defeats South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Controversial Collision Call Explained
- Google News: UCLA softball
