South-Carolina
South Carolina softball ends historic SEC Tournament run on championship loss to Tennessee
South Carolina softball’s historic SEC Tournament run came to an end in the championship game Saturday with a 3-1 loss to No. 4 Tennessee in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The Gamecocks started strong, taking an early 1-0 lead over the 1-seed Lady Vols. Zoe Laneaux scored on a sacrifice fly by Riley Blampied after hitting a triple to right field. However, it didn’t take Tennessee long to respond. Gamecocks starting pitcher Bailey Betenbaugh walked Zaida Puni, and Puni advanced to third on a double from McKenna Gibson. She was brought home on a single from Riley West.
South Carolina switched to Karsen Ochs at pitcher for the final out of the second inning, and she gave up three hits in the third that ultimately resulted in the game-winning Tennessee runs. Jamison Brockenbro hit the RBI single that brought home West and Mackenzie Donihoo.
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Gamecocks ace Donnie Goubourne checked in to start the bottom of the fourth inning and immediately made an impact. She picked up two strikeouts and only allowed one hit to Tennessee star Kiki Milloy. South Carolina was the only team in the SEC Tournament that did not give up a home run to Milloy.
Goubourne, an All-SEC first team selection, finished with four strikeouts and two hits allowed in her three innings pitched. The Tennessee pitching staff did not give up multiple hits to any South Carolina batter.
Tennessee ace Ashley Rodgers entered the game in the sixth inning with a bang, striking out out all three batters she faced. Aniyah Black gave South Carolina hope with a double hit deep to center field in the top of the seventh, but the Gamecocks couldn’t capitalize with three straight fly-outs after her.
The Gamecocks were the first 10-seed ever to reach the championship game of the SEC Tournament. They upset 2-seed Georgia and 3-seed Auburn in back-to-back games, winning both by a single run and going to extra innings with the Bulldogs. It was the team’s first SEC championship appearance since 2018 when it lost to Florida. South Carolina has not won an SEC title in softball since 2000.
South Carolina entered the tournament on the NCAA Tournament bubble, but their odds of earning an at-large bid increased significantly this weekend. The field of 64 teams will be announced Sunday (7 p.m., ESPN).