South Carolina tops UCLA softball in opening game of Super Regional

The UCLA softball team lost the opening game of its Super Regional, falling to South Carolina Friday, 9-2.

South Carolina scored three runs in the first, added two in the second and wasn’t threatened in the game. Lexi Winters hit a two-run home run in the first for the No. 8 seeded Gamecocks (44-15). Arianna Rodi drove in two runs in the second inning to put South Carolina up 5-0.

For UCLA, Savannah Pola went 2 for 4 with a triple. Alexis Ramirez had a double to drive in a run in the fourth inning. Catcher Sofia Mujica went 2 for 3 and also drove in a run in the fourth.

Jori Heard started the game on the mound for South Carolina, but left the game in the fourth, charged with both UCLA runs. Sam Gress took over and pitched shutout innings in the fifth, sixth and seventh to finish the game. UCLA starter Kaitlyn Terry was charged with five runs and was relieved by Addisen Fisher in the second.

With the loss, the No. 9 seed Bruins (52-11) face elimination in the best-of-three series for a berth in the Women’s College World Series.

Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. (Pacific Time).