South Carolina Softball Kicks Off NCAA Tournament With Commanding Win Over Elon to Build Postseason Momentum at Home
The University of South Carolina softball team began its journey in the 2025 NCAA Tournament with a strong and composed performance, securing a 5-1 victory over Elon in the opening round of the Columbia Regional. Playing in front of a supportive home crowd at Beckham Field, the Gamecocks combined dominant pitching, timely hitting, and solid defense to take the first step toward advancing in the postseason.
Coming into the tournament, South Carolina had built a reputation for being a team that thrives under pressure, and Friday’s game was no exception. Junior right-hander Alana Vawter was sharp from the outset, setting the tone early with her control in the circle and poise in key moments. Vawter tossed a complete game, allowing just one run on five hits while striking out six and walking none. Her ability to move pitches around the zone and keep Elon’s hitters guessing proved crucial in keeping the Phoenix from gaining any momentum.
The Gamecocks didn’t wait long to strike offensively. In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Marissa Gonzalez set the pace by drawing a walk and immediately putting pressure on Elon with her aggressive baserunning. After a sacrifice bunt and a groundout that advanced her to third, Gonzalez came home on a clutch two-out single from freshman standout Mikayla Pilgrim, giving South Carolina a 1-0 lead and injecting energy into the home crowd.
From that point forward, the Gamecocks maintained control of the contest. Elon had a few opportunities to respond, particularly in the top of the third inning when they managed to get two runners on base with one out. However, Vawter worked her way out of the jam by inducing a pop-up and a weak ground ball to end the threat.
South Carolina extended its lead in the bottom half of the third inning with a two-run rally. Senior infielder Emma Sellers led off with a double down the left-field line, and after a sacrifice bunt moved her to third, junior designated player Riley Blampied stepped up and delivered a run-scoring single through the right side. The Gamecocks weren’t done, as Blampied came around to score two batters later when center fielder Brianna Calhoun lined a triple to the gap in right-center, making it 3-0.
The cushion allowed Vawter to settle in even more. She cruised through the middle innings, retiring ten straight batters at one point, and was in full control as South Carolina continued to apply pressure offensively. In the fifth inning, the Gamecocks tacked on another run when Gonzalez reached on an infield single and stole second before coming around to score on a double by Pilgrim, who was quickly becoming the spark plug the lineup needed.
Elon managed to scratch across a run in the top of the sixth, thanks to a solo home run by senior shortstop Megan Grant, but it was far too little and too late. Vawter responded with back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and quell any hopes of a comeback. South Carolina added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, with Sellers singling and scoring on another timely RBI by Blampied, pushing the score to 5-1.
The Gamecocks’ overall execution was crisp and reflective of a team that had been preparing for postseason play all year. Defensively, they were flawless, committing no errors and turning in several highlight plays, including a diving catch by Calhoun in the fourth inning that robbed Elon of a potential extra-base hit and helped preserve the shutout through the middle frames.
Head coach Beverly Smith praised her team’s preparation and composure following the win. “I thought we came out with great focus and energy today,” Smith said. “Alana gave us exactly what we needed in the circle, and our offense came through with big hits in key moments. This is what you want to see in the postseason — players stepping up and executing in every phase of the game.”
Smith was also quick to highlight the contributions of younger players like Pilgrim, who finished the day 3-for-4 with two RBIs. “Mikayla is such a tough out, and she plays the game with so much maturity for a freshman. We’re lucky to have her in our lineup, especially in games like this.”
For South Carolina, the win not only advances them in the Columbia Regional but also serves as a statement about their postseason intentions. Having endured a rigorous SEC schedule throughout the regular season, the Gamecocks appeared confident and battle-tested. Their balanced approach — combining veteran leadership with the spark of younger talent — gives them the depth and resilience necessary for a deep tournament run.
The crowd at Beckham Field certainly played its part as well. A near-capacity audience created a lively and electric environment that boosted the home team throughout the contest. With each key hit and strikeout, the roar from the stands only grew louder, reinforcing the value of hosting the regional and giving the Gamecocks a true home-field advantage.
Looking ahead, South Carolina will face a tougher challenge in its next matchup, where they are expected to play the winner of the regional’s other opening-round game. But the Gamecocks will enter that game with momentum and a sense of confidence earned from their opening-round performance.
What stood out in this game was the Gamecocks’ ability to handle the moment — no errors, no mental lapses, and a clear commitment to playing disciplined softball. These are the types of details that often determine success in tournament settings, where pressure is high and the margin for error is slim.
Elon, to its credit, showed fight and defensive grit, but the Phoenix were simply overmatched by a team that has been forged in the crucible of SEC competition. Despite the loss, Elon coach Kathy Bocock remained proud of her team’s effort. “We battled against a very good team today,” Bocock said. “South Carolina is tough, but I thought we had our chances. We just didn’t capitalize. We’ll regroup and get ready for tomorrow.”
The Columbia Regional now moves into the winner’s bracket, where South Carolina will look to continue asserting itself. If Friday’s performance is any indication, the Gamecocks are a team that opponents will be wary of in the coming days.
South Carolina’s postseason success has historically been rooted in elite pitching and timely hitting — both were on display in the win over Elon. With Vawter anchoring the rotation and the offense finding its rhythm, the Gamecocks are poised to make some noise not just in the regional but potentially beyond.
This year’s team carries the experience of veterans who’ve been through the SEC gauntlet before, along with the energy of underclassmen ready to make their mark. That blend creates a dangerous formula, particularly in a tournament where every pitch, every at-bat, and every defensive play carries added weight.
As the Gamecocks walk away from their opening game with a 1-0 record in regional play, there’s a quiet sense of determination — not celebration — among players and coaches. They know the job isn’t finished, and tougher tests lie ahead. But they also know they’ve put themselves in the best position to move forward, having delivered a performance that was equal parts efficient and emphatic.
The path to Oklahoma City is never easy, but South Carolina’s opening act was the kind of all-around showing that keeps that dream alive. If they can continue to build off this momentum, play to their strengths, and maintain the sharpness they displayed on Friday, there’s no telling how far they can go. For now, they remain focused on the next game — and doing whatever it takes to keep this postseason journey going strong.
