South-Carolina
Social media reacts to Oklahoma’s 10-9 win over South Carolina to open SEC play
The Oklahoma Sooners got off to a strong start in SEC play with their 10-9 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday night. It was a matchup of top 10 teams and it looked like a game that could be played in Oklahoma City later this year.
Oklahoma got on the board first, but then the Gamecocks jumped out to a big 5-1 lead in the second. Home runs from Isabela Emerling in the second and Gabby Garcia in the third put the Sooners back on top, but South Carolina wouldn’t go away.
But Oklahoma showed its resilience, responding quickly to South Carolina tying the game in the top of the fifth as Emerling hit her second two-run home run of the night in the bottom of the inning. Hannah Coor provided the insurance on a two-RBI double in the sixth, and the Sooners held on for the win.
Oklahoma moved to 20-0 on the season and 1-0 in SEC play. They’re the only remaining undefeated team in Division I. They may be in a new conference, with new challenges, but the Sooners just keep finding ways to win.
The SEC is going to be a grind. Just like it was in football and in basketball. Friday night showed that wins won’t come easy on a weekend to weekend basis. But the Sooners showed that although they’re much younger than they’ve been, they’re just as good as they ever were. There may be a lot of new faces, but the Sooners are one of the best teams in the nation for a reason.
It was a thrilling opening night in SEC play and here’s how social media reacted to the Sooners win.
Same as it ever was
No, Riley, we’re not
Huge Top 10 Win
Isabela Emerling had a night
What a way to open SEC Play
Punishing it like it stole something
She’s Her
Freshman Came up Big
It’s what They do
Magical Friday night
South Carolina is really Good
Friday Night to Remember
OU vs South Carolina Part 2 on Saturday: A Prelude?
A primer on absentee and early voting as we await clarity on the Palmetto State’s suddenly shifting congressional districts…
by MARK POWELL
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We’re hearing a lot these days about South Carolina’s partisan primary elections – and with good reason. In addition to the ongoing drama tied to the proposed redrawing of the Palmetto State’s congressional districts, elections for the two most influential statewide offices – governor and attorney general – are also on tap.
For the first time since 2010, neither of those races features an incumbent seeking reelection. Status quo incumbent governor Henry McMaster is term-limited and cannot run again, while attorney general Alan Wilson is stepping down as the state’s top prosecutor to campaign for governor.
Not surprisingly, both races are extremely competitive – with multiple candidates having potential paths to victory.
Although partisan primary elections won’t be held until June 9, 2026, votes are already being cast via absentee ballot. According to the S.C. Election Commission (SCVotes), at last count 9,267 absentee ballots have already been sent for the June 9 primary – with thousands more expected to be mailed out in the coming two weeks.
Of those, 549 ballots have already been completed and returned.
***
For those wanting to vote absentee, the clock is ticking. State law says absentee ballots must be returned eleven (11) days before Election Day… which is May 29, 2026. In requesting, completing and returning absentee ballots this year, voters would be wise to consider the congressional district in which they reside – and know it could change in the coming days.
Under pressure from U.S. president Donald Trump, lawmakers are poised to draw new congressional maps within the next week – meaning votes cast based on the current boundaries may not count. That’s one of many logistical (and potentially legal) headaches confronting lawmakers keen on doing Trump’s bidding.
Next up? Early voting…
Starting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and running through Friday, June 5, 2026, early voting centers will be open in all forty-six (46) counties in South Carolina. Ballots can be cast Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Remember to bring a valid photo identification with you, because when voting in person you will be asked to show one of the following…
- SC Driver’s License
- Includes standard license and REAL ID
- SC Department of Motor Vehicles ID Card
- Includes standard ID card and REAL ID
- Includes SC Concealed Weapons Permit
- SC Voter Registration Card with Photo
- Federal Military ID
- Includes all Department of Defense Photo IDs and Veterans Affairs Benefits Card
- US Passport
- Includes US Passport ID Card
For a sample ballot, click here. For information on where to vote in your county, click here.
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RELATED | HENRY McMASTER CALLING SPECIAL SESSION
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In some areas, curbside voting will also be available during the early voting window. Voters aged 65 and older or those with physical disabilities are eligible to cast their ballots from the convenience of their cars. Again, check with your local voting office about availability in your area.
Those concerned about lengthy waits and long, wrap-around-the-building lines may not have reason to fret – at least if recent history is any guide. While those horrifically long and agonizing queues are common in presidential primaries and general elections, Palmetto State citizens have had a more relaxed view of fulfilling their civic duty in recent years when it comes to primary elections.
In the last statewide primary in 2022, only 17.05% of registered voters cast their ballots. In 2018, it was 20.43%. Those were those landslides compared to 2014’s primary, when an anemic 15.97% participated.
The high-water mark for primary participation was 2010, when controversy swirling around Nikki Haley’s candidacy drove turnout to a whopping 24.11% – proving yet again that scandal always sells.
But I’ll leave any further discussion of that race (and that scandal) to our founding editor…
***
ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
J. Mark Powell is an award-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Email him at mark@fitsnews.com.
***
SOUND OFF…
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