AUSTIN, TEXAS. – The South Carolina softball team dropped its first game of the season Sunday afternoon, losing 5-1 to Louisiana Tech (7-4). The Gamecocks (8-1) weren’t able to capitalize on chances offensively, but did outhit the Bulldogs 7-6 thanks to multi-hit efforts from Victoria Williams and Tiara Duffy.

Tech opened the scoring with a solo home run in the first inning off South Carolina starter Jessica Elliott, and added four more runs in the fourth and fifth. The Gamecocks got a run back in the top of the sixth thanks to a two-out single from Krystan White.

KEY STAT

Less than 24 hours after holding the Bulldogs in check with runners in scoring position, the Gamecock offense batted just .143 (2-14) with runners in scoring position on Sunday.

NOTABLE

• Taylor Williams and Victoria Williams each had doubles in the game. Taylor Williams’ double was her first of the season.
• Tiara Duffy swiped her third stolen base of the season, pushing the team’s total to 14. The Gamecocks have yet to be thrown out on the basepaths this year.
• Cayla Drotar pitched a scoreless sixth inning of relief, pushing her season ERA down to 0.44.

Up Next

South Carolina has a busy week ahead, starting with a single midweek game at North Carolina Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Chapel Hill. Following that, the team returns home for a weekend tournament that runs Feb. 24-26. The Gamecocks will host North Dakota State Friday at 3 p.m., then take on North Dakota State and College of Charleston Saturday before closing the weekend with a Sunday afternoon game against the College of Charleston.