Furman Softball Travels to USC Gamecocks for Mid-Week Battle

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Here's the Paladin 9️⃣ for today's game in Columbia!

🆚 No. 17 South Carolina
⌚️5:00 p.m.
📍Columbia, S.C.
📺 SECN+
📊https://t.co/NBmHrT5G8m pic.twitter.com/d3ToSKxMca

— Furman Softball (@FurmanSoftball) February 21, 2024

Furman Softball (7-2) comes into tonight’s mid-week game with USC Gamecocks of the SEC as a huge underdog, but Furman is used to the talk. The team just finished a huge home game tournament where it had its troubles but finished with just one loss after 5 games straight.

@FurmanSoftball vs. @GamecockSoftbll
From Gamecock Softball Stadium #Furman #Softball pic.twitter.com/Tf4jh9PowK

— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) February 21, 2024

First inning goes to the gamecocks as they are able to score one before Furman is able to get out of the inning. Furman is unable to get a hit and is forced to start by playing catchup to start off the game. The team heads to the second inning hoping for a better showing.

@FurmanSoftball 0@GamecockSoftbll 1
After 1 inning @adamtroseberry pic.twitter.com/fYZmuQRNft

— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) February 21, 2024

Furman in the second is not able to get a score, and we head to the bottom of the second where a couple of fielding masques cost the Paladins and USC gets 3 runs to extend the lead to 4-0 with two outs in the inning. Furman is able to get the final out and escape without another run on the board.
https://x.com/DaFanBoys_/status/1760433036309475509?s=20
Furman starts off the top of the third needing to get back some of the runs it allowed to USC, USC gets the first out on a pop up in the infield, then strikes out the next batter for Furman. Furman once again is unable to get a much-needed score and we head to the bottom of the third inning and a new pitcher on the mound #11 Taylor Miller. USC after getting struck out with the first batter, gets a runner on base with a walk. USC gets a huge hit and scores, yet another run and the score is now 5-0 USC Gamecocks with 2 outs and a runner on first. Furman is struggling at the moment and I’m sure Coach Stacey will get them calmed and ready to go in the fourth inning as they get the final out.

@FurmanSoftball 0@GamecockSoftbll 5
Top of the 4th Inning@DaFanboys @DaFanBoys_ @adamtroseberry @SOTGsmoke pic.twitter.com/We073o11MV

— Sidelines – Furman (@SSN_Furman) February 21, 2024

Furman once again needs to get on the board after 3 innings of letting the Gamecocks score runs and finds itself behind by 5 runs, something will have to give. Furman gets out with the first batter, but Ashlee Lykins gets a much-needed walk and gets on base, now it’s up to Sylvia Burroughs to get her in. She gets a pop up out and now it’s up to Kiley Perry to give Furman a chance at a run this inning with two outs. She lines drives third base and is thrown out at first. USC takes over with a 5-run lead and seem ready to keep it up against a hard fighting Furman Softball team. Furman has another new pitcher and its #00 Emme Buzhardt who is able to get the first hitter out. Next batter drives a ball out to right fielder and #9 Jordynn Lawerence makes a diving catch and its two outs in the inning. USC on the next batter is able to get a runner on first, as these two out issues has killed Furman tonight. Furman walks the next batter and now its two on with two outs, the batter moves as a wild pitch allows the runners to advance to third and second. Another walk, and the bases are loaded, next batter hits a blast to SS and is thrown out and thankfully the inning ends with no runs.

@FurmanSoftball 0@GamecockSoftbll 5
Top of the 5th inning@DaFanboys @DaFanBoysJ @SSN_Furman @adamtroseberry pic.twitter.com/CAI3EIQLx9

— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) February 21, 2024

Furman is up to bat, and at this point has to get runs quick as innings are going by fast. Furman is unable to get anything going in the inning and we head to the bottom of the fifth inning and USC is just getting the best of the Paladins at the moment. Furman is able to get the first batter out, next batter up is walked, following batter drills a hit to center and its runners at the corners with one out for USC against the Paladins. Stolen base and now runners are at second and third, the batter hits to second and is thrown out, yet USC gets a run and its 6-0 now with two outs. Furman gets the final out and we head to the 6th inning.

@FurmanSoftball 0@GamecockSoftbll 6
Top of the 6th Inning @DaFanboys @SSN_Furman @adamtroseberry pic.twitter.com/XkbIAErxhk

— The Furman Joust (@DaFanBoys_) February 21, 2024

Furman has to get runs this inning, the first batter is struck out and we head to a PH Hana Hashioka with a out already in the inning. She is unable to get a hit and strikes out with Caitlin Goldwait now the last chance to keep this inning going right now. She is not able to get a hit and we head to the bottom of the sixth, and Furman has just three more outs to give before giving this game away to the Gamecocks. Furman brings in #10 Angelina Ricciardi to try and end this inning fast. Furman gets the first out and is two outs away, yet the next USC batter gets a ball up in the middle for a single. The 4 errors by Furman are what has been the main difference in this game. The runner steals second, the batter strikes out and we are 1 out away from getting out of the inning without a run. Furman gives up yet another run after a blast to right center and its 7-0 USC Gamecocks over Furman. A walk and now runners are at first and second with two outs again this game. A huge blast to left and the game is over as Furman gives up a winning double to a 9-0 loss to USC Gamecocks!