Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina softball team saw its 2024 season come to a close on Sunday afternoon, falling 5–0 to powerhouse UCLA in the decisive Game 3 of the NCAA Super Regional at Carolina Softball Stadium.
The loss ends a historic campaign for the Gamecocks, who finish 44–17 under first-year head coach Ashley Chastain Woodard — the most wins ever by a first-year coach in program history.
Early Bruin Surge Proves Too Much:
UCLA wasted no time putting pressure on South Carolina, stringing together three consecutive hits to open the game and taking a 2–0 lead in the first inning. Starting pitcher Sam Gress (14–11) settled in to limit further damage through four innings, but the Bruins tacked on three more runs in the fifth to break the game open.
Gress exited after 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. Jori Heard entered in relief, shutting down the Bruins for the rest of the fifth and delivering a clean sixth inning.
Opportunities Missed at the Plate:
The Gamecocks’ offense was held in check by UCLA’s strong pitching, managing just four hits on the day. Their best scoring chance came in the bottom of the sixth, with Quincee Lilio and Lexi Winters reaching base, but the rally fell short as Carolina was unable to convert.
Winters, Ella Chancey, Emily Vinson, and Brooke Blankenship each notched a hit in the loss.
A Season to Remember:
Despite the season-ending defeat, South Carolina finishes with plenty to celebrate. The team reached its first Super Regional since 2018 and rewrote the program’s record book along the way:
Most RBIs, runs, walks, doubles, and sacrifice flies in a single season
Arianna Rodi set new single-season program records for home runs and walks, while finishing third all-time in RBIs
Lexi Winters also climbed into the top five for RBIs in a season
Coach Chastain Woodard’s debut season leaves the Gamecocks with momentum and optimism heading into 2025.
