2 hours ago
Grace Wesoly | SEC Network
Photo: SEC Staff
Fayetteville, Ark. –No. 10-seeded South Carolina used an eight-inning effort against No. 2-seeded Georgia, 2-1, to secure a berth in the SEC Tournament semifinals.
The Gamecocks chained a couple of hits in the eighth inning as Brooke Blankenship’s single to left field earned the game-winning run. The Bulldogs fought back in the bottom of the eighth, but Donnie Gobourne stayed strong on the mound to complete the victory.
Gobourne delivered eight of South Carolina’s nine strikeouts in its five shutout innings. Combined with Bailey Betenbaugh, they allowed just five hits and three walks.
Georgia’s pitching team also shone when losing starter Madison Kerpics and Shelby Walters struck out nine while allowing just five hits and two walks.
The Bulldogs left six batters on base against three in South Carolina, leaving some winning opportunities on the field.
How did it happen
B3| Chambley went big with the Bulldogs’ first hit of the game, sailing one over the left field fence to open the game. South Carolina 1, Georgia 0
T4| Georgia’s lead was short-lived as South Carolina responded with a solo homer from Blampied to tie the score. South Carolina 1, Georgia 1
B6| The Bulldogs’ bats showed more signs of life as Mosley hoppered against the fence at right center and dove into second base for the one-out double. After intentionally stepping Jayda Kearney and drawing a fly-out that put runners into the corners, Gobourne’s outfield came into play. An exceptional catch overhead on a sprint to the fence by the left fielder Marissa Gonzalez miraculously ended the inning without damage. South Carolina 1, Georgia 1
T8| Haley Simpson started the extra inning action with a one-out single to left field, advancing to second after a pitching error by Georgia catcher Lyndi Rae Davis. Emma Sellers followed suit, sending a line drive into left field as Simpson booked it home, but was knocked down at home plate by left fielder Jaydyn Goodwin. Blankenship rose to the challenge with two outs and a runner in striker position, scoring the go-ahead with a single down the right side. The Gamecocks followed up the two-out effort with a walk and pass ball forward, but Laneaux went down swinging to end the inning. South Carolina 2, Georgia 1
B8| Gobourne didn’t seem bothered by the gravity of the situation, staying calm on the mound to retire the first batter of the inning and firing a pop fly into foul territory to bring South Carolina to just one out of the win. However, Mosley wouldn’t have gone down without a fight, smashing a line single into center field that was just short of Blampied’s diving effort. The decision to intentionally step on Kearney again put the runners in first and second with all eyes on Jaiden Fields at home plate. Gobourne worked a 2-2 tally before delivering the final blow as Fields swung in to seal the Gamecocks victory. South Carolina 2, Georgia 1
Following
South Carolina (36-19, 9-15 SEC) will face 3rd seed Auburn (40-16, 15-9 SEC) in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament on Friday, May 12 at 3:00 p.m. CT as televised on ESPN2.
Georgia (39-13, 16-7 SEC) is eliminated from the tournament and awaits the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday night. Support for the NCAA Tournament will be released at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.