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The South Carolina softball squad saw its magical season continue on Sunday, with the Gamecocks defeating Liberty in back-to-back games to win the Columbia Regional and reach the NCAA Tournament’s super regional round for the first time since 2007.
South Carolina (49-15) staved off elimination Saturday night when Krystan White belted a two-run, walk-off homer to lift the Gamecocks over Hofstra, 5-4. But by virtue of their loss to Liberty earlier in the tournament, the Gamecocks would have to beat the undefeated Flames twice to win the regional title.
South Carolina posted a 2-0 victory in Game 1, keyed by Cayla Drotar’s two-run homer in the third inning and Dixie Raley’s pitching (eight strikeouts and just three hits allowed). In Game 2, the Gamecocks got off to a faster start in a 5-0 win, plating a run in the second inning before pouring it on in the sixth thanks to RBIs from White, Mackenzie Boesel and Drotar. Drotar also earned the win in the circle, striking out four and giving up four hits.
The Gamecocks will now hit the road to eighth-seeded Arizona State for just their second super regional appearance in program history. Game 1 is set for Thursday.