South Carolina softball’s 6th-inning surge vs North Florida carries Gamecocks to regional final

COLUMBIA — South Carolina softball, the top seed of the Columbia Regional and the No. 8 national seed, defeated No. 3 seed North Florida 3-0 in the NCAA tournament, on May 17.

With the win, the Gamecocks (42-15) advance to the regional final on May 18 (1 p.m., ESPN2).

It was a pitchers’ duel through five innings, with the wind an additional factor at Carolina Softball Stadium. After missing a two-run home run by a foot in the fourth inning, senior Ella Chancey stepped up to the plate in the sixth with two outs. She doubled to right field then an error at the plate allowed Chloe Lackey to score the game’s first run.

Emma Sellers, with the bases loaded and still two outs, singled to bring home two more to make it 3-0.

The Osprey (46-14) had star pitcher Allison Benning battling veteran Sam Gress for the Gamecocks. Gress allowed six hits, zero runs and threw four strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Jori Heard relieved Gress, following up her May 16 performance with another quality game. Heard allowed no hits and no runs in 2.1 innings.

South Carolina softball live score vs North Florida

The Gamecocks score the game’s first runs in the top of the sixth. North Florida had no hits and no runs to close the sixth, giving South Carolina a three-run lead heading into the top of the seventh.

South Carolina leaves two on in the fifth.

Ella Chancey was just a foot away from a two-run home run. North Florida leaves one on and it’s still 0-0 heading into the fifth.

Emily Vinson makes a diving catch for South Carolina to get the first out of the inning, then North Florida leaves two on.

Gamecocks go three up three down. The Ospreys’ runner gets called for leaving early, ending the inning.

Arianna Rodi with a two out single but South Carolina didn’t get anything more. The Ospreys load the bases but leave three on.

What time does South Carolina softball vs. North Florida start?  

• Date: May 17
• Time: 1 p.m. ET
• Location: Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field in Columbia, South Carolina

What TV channel is South Carolina softball vs. North Florida on today?  

• TV: N/A
• Streaming: ESPN+ on the ESPN app

South Carolina softball starting pitcher

Sam Gress is starting for the Gamecocks. She has a 3.12 ERA, 12 wins and 94 strikeouts.

North Florida softball starting pitcher

Allison Benning, North Florida’s star is starting. She has a 1.49 ERA, 25 wins and 174 strikeouts.

NCAA softball schedule

Here is the latest college softball schedule and NCAA Tournament bracket update.

NCAA Tournament Columbia Regional softball schedule

May 17

Game 3: North Florida vs South Carolina, 1 p.m., ESPN+

Game 4: Virginia vs. Elon, 3:30 p.m., TV TBD

Game 5: loser of G3 vs. winner of G4, 6 p.m., TV TBD

May 18

Game 6: winner of G3 vs. winner of G5, 1 p.m., ESPN2.

Game 7: winner of C6 vs. loser of G6 (if necessary), 3:30 p.m.

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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin