Despite leading the 8th seeded and regional host Florida State Seminoles 1-0 in the 6th, the South Carolina Gamecocks softball team couldn't hold on and dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to see their season come to an end.
The Gamecocks, needing to beat the Seminoles twice to advance to Super Regionals next week, grabbed the early 1-0 advantage in the 4th on a Victoria Williams sac fly. Meanwhile, Nickie Blue was in command, allowing just one hit through the first four innings before giving way to Jessica Elliott.
But things went south for the Gamecocks in the 6th. With runners on the corners with one out, Alex Powers tied the game with a single to right, followed by a Sydney Broderick single to left center to give the Seminoles the lead for good. Meghan King set the Gamecocks down in order in the 7th to end the game and punch her team's ticket to the next round of the tournament.
King scattered six hits through seven innings pitched and allowed just the one run while striking out three and walking none. Elliott took the loss for the Gamecocks, allowing two runs on three hits and adding a pair of walks through 2.0 innings.
South Carolina's season ends at 38-23. Today was the last game for seniors Ansley Ard, Jordan Bizzell, Lauren Masters and Alaynie Page, but with many key pieces returning like Blue, Elliott, Kaylea Snaer, Alexis Mack and others, the future looks bright for a return trip to regionals next year - and hopefully beyond.