It was a big day for upsets and statement wins Friday in college softball. No. 21 South Carolina powered past No. 9 Duke on the road, while Idaho State stunned No. 13 Texas Tech with a walk-off home run in College Station. Here's a look at all of the action.
No. 21 South Carolina outslugs No. 9 Duke
South Carolina softball wasted no time making a statement Friday, overpowering No. 9 Duke 14-7 to open their three-game series in Durham.
Fueled by a six-run third inning and an explosive seventh-inning rally, the No. 21 Gamecocks not only evened the all-time series between the teams but also showcased the depth of their lineup in a slugfest that featured 26 combined hits.
What a game for @KarleyShelton 🔥#NCAASoftball x 🎥 ACCNX / @GamecockSoftbll
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) March 1, 2025
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Trailing 1-0 after Duke plated a run in the first, South Carolina flipped the game on its head in the third. After a Duke wild pitch allowed the Gamecocks to tie the game, Arianna Rodi launched a three-run homer to break it open. Abigail Knight capped the inning with a two-run single, giving South Carolina a 6-1 lead.
Duke chipped away, cutting the deficit to 6-4 by the fourth. But South Carolina’s bats erupted again in the seventh, scoring eight runs — highlighted by a three-run homer from Karley Shelton and a pair of clutch RBI hits from Knight and Lexi Winters.
Aminah Vega led Duke’s offense, finishing 3-for-4 with a home run, triple and RBI. South Carolina countered with 13 hits, including multi-hit games from Shelton, Knight, Winters and Natalie Heath.
Nealy Lamb earned the win for South Carolina, striking out five in three innings. Duke’s pitching staff struggled to slow the Gamecocks, combining for 143 pitches and allowing 14 runs, 13 earned.
The series continues Saturday as South Carolina (17-0) looks to keep rolling vs. Duke (14-4) in Durham.
Idaho State softball stuns No. 13 Texas Tech with walk-off win
Idaho State made history at the Texas A&M Invitational by delivering its first-ever win over a top-15 opponent with a dramatic 3-2 walk-off over No. 13 Texas Tech.
Gracie Smith sealed the moment for the Bengals with a leadoff, first-pitch home run in the bottom of the seventh, sending a shot over the right-field wall to stun the Red Raiders.
Walk it off, Bengals 🗣️#NCAASoftball x 🎥 @IdahoStateSB
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) February 28, 2025
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Sophomore pitcher Lizzy Tommasini was the steady hand for Idaho State, tossing a complete game while holding Texas Tech to two runs on nine hits. She struck out three and worked out of multiple jams, including a crucial defensive stand in the top of the seventh. With a Red Raider runner on third, Idaho State cut down a potential go-ahead run at the plate, setting up Smith’s heroics.
The Bengals (11-3) struck first in the third inning after capitalizing on two Texas Tech errors. The Red Raiders (16-5) responded with a pair of runs — one in the fifth and another in the sixth — taking a 2-1 lead.
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But Idaho State answered right back. Alyssa Yee tripled to right field in the sixth and scored the tying run on Ava Brown’s sacrifice fly.
Despite being out-hit 9-3, Idaho State’s timely bombs proved the difference. Texas Tech stranded five runners on base and couldn’t cash in on opportunities late in the game.
Next up, both teams continue their tournament run in College Station, Texas.
