Columbia, S.C. – No. 12 South Carolina erupted at the plate Friday afternoon, overpowering Syracuse 15–2 in a five‑inning run‑rule win on day two of the Gamecock Invitational. The Gamecocks’ offense was relentless, piling up extra‑base hits and production throughout the lineup to even their record at 1–1.
South Carolina’s bats were locked in from the start, finishing with 12 hits, including four doubles and the team’s first home run of the season. They also showed patience and toughness at the plate, drawing four hit‑by‑pitches to keep the pressure on Syracuse’s pitching. Quincee Lilio, Kai Byars, Karley Shelton, and Arianna Rodi each turned in two‑hit performances, with Rodi driving in a game‑high three runs and five different Gamecocks collecting two RBIs apiece.
The Gamecocks set the tone in the bottom of the first inning with a four‑run outburst. Rodi launched a two‑run shot to straightaway center field, marking South Carolina’s first homer of the year and immediately energizing the home crowd. Later in the frame, the Gamecocks loaded the bases and added two more runs when Jamie Mackay put a ball in play that turned into a fielder’s choice but still brought two runners across.
South Carolina’s defense stepped up in the second inning when Shae Anderson turned a crucial inning‑ending double play to erase a Syracuse threat. Momentum carried straight into the bottom half, where the Gamecocks plated three more runs. Rodi stayed hot with an RBI single to right‑center to score Anderson, and Tate Davis followed by ripping a double to the same gap, driving in Lilio and pinch‑runner Dakota Potter.
In the circle, Emma Friedel gave South Carolina a steady start with two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one. She handed the ball to Josey Marron in the third, and although Syracuse loaded the bases, Marron slammed the door with a key strikeout to escape unscathed and keep the lead intact.
The Gamecocks broke the game wide open in the bottom of the third, sending six more runs home. Lilio kicked off the frame with an RBI single, and Shelton continued her big day with an RBI double. After a walk to Rodi, Alyssa Hovermale added to the barrage with a run‑scoring single. Tori Ensley then delivered a two‑run double, cashing in Rodi, and Byars capped the inning with a two‑run single to put the game firmly out of reach.
Syracuse finally broke through with two runs in the top of the fourth, but South Carolina answered immediately. Lilio drew a leadoff walk, and Shelton roped her second double of the day to bring Lilio around. A defensive miscue by the Orange allowed Shelton to move to third, and Hovermale’s groundout pushed her across for the Gamecocks’ 15th run.
Marron earned her first win of the season in relief, working two innings, scattering five hits, and recording a strikeout. Freshman Ansley Bennett entered in the fifth for her collegiate debut and looked poised, retiring Syracuse without allowing a hit to close out the run‑rule victory.
With the offense firing and the pitching staff settling in, South Carolina heads into a rematch against No. 19 Virginia Tech on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., looking to build on a statement performance that showcased both its depth and its power.
