Live Blog: No. 14 Alabama Softball at No. 12 South Carolina (Game 2)

It is the final week of the regular season and there are huge matchups all around the SEC including Friday night's game between No. 14 Alabama and No. 12 South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina.

This is the second game of the three-game series as the Crimson Tide run-ruled the Gamecocks 13-1 in five innings on Thursday evening. Alabama broke the tie with South Carolina in the SEC standings as another win on Friday evening could increase its chances of securing a first-round bye in the SEC Tournament.

First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. CT, and the game is streaming only on SEC Network+. The matchup was initially set for 5 p.m., but there was lightning in the area which forced a short delay.

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Starting lineups:

Live Blog

(latest updates at the top)

FINAL: South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Top 7

Alabama's offense can't get the job done. A line drive to the pitcher combined with a throw to first leads to a wild double-play to end the game.

End 6: South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Bottom 6

Riley can't stop going 1-2-3 as Alabama's bats are now at its final life to help Riley.

Mid 6: South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Top 6

South Carolina's defense goes for another 1-2-3 inning. The Gamecocks had a mound visit with two outs before facing the third batter and the discussion proved to work.

End 5: South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Bottom 5

Alabama's offense is six outs away from losing despite a standout performance by Riley.

Riley gets her third 1-2-3 inning in five frames. Like Alabama's offense in the fifth, South Carolina's went down on ground outs.

Mid 5: South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Top 5

Alabama's offense continues to be quiet as Vandagriff, Johnson and Heivilin's balls don't even reach the outfield with three groundouts in a 1-2-3 inning.

END 4: South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Bottom 4

South Carolina gets two fly-outs towards right field plus a groundout. Hawkins gave up her third walk of the game during the frame

MID 4: South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Top 4

Preuitt pops out to end the frame, but Alabama gets on the board in the fourth.

Giles comes through AGAIN with her fifth hit of the weekend with a single through the left side to score Hawkins. South Carolina 3, Alabama 1

Hawkins moves to third on a swinging bunt by Valentine, but now there are two outs. The inning's fate rests on Marlie Giles.

Hawkins steals second with one out to move into scoring position.

Four-pitch walk for Hawkins to start the inning. Technically was a HBP after the pitch came up too far inside. Will this free pass be the spark the Alabama offense needs?

END 3: South Carolina 3, Alabama 0

Bottom 3- South Carolina batting

Quick 1-2-3 inning for Riley in the circle. Just what she needed. Now it's time for the Alabama offense to put up some runs.

Catelyn Riley still in the circle for Alabama.

MID 3: South Carolina 3, Alabama 0

Top 3 - resumed

Heivilin reaches with a two-out HBP, but that's all for Alabama in the third.

Sam Gress is still in the circle for the Gamecocks, and she strikes Vandagriff out. One out, in the top of the third.

At 9:01 a.m., this game is officially back on with Audrey Vandagriff at the plate for the Tide in the T3.

Game 2 will resume at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday

8:34 p.m. CT- Game 2 has been officially suspended until Saturday with South Carolina leading 3-0 in the top of the third

Game two is officially suspended for tonight with South Carolina leading 3-0 in the top of the 3rd inning…resumption time Saturday TBD#Team29 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/Lq6OtwntpG
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 3, 2025

Still in a delay an hour later with no update on restart time.

Rain and lightning continue here in Columbia

No word on a restart time yet#Team29 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/WzpFcra58A
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 3, 2025

***As of 6:12 p.m. CT, this game has gone into a weather delay because of lightning in the area.

At the start of the third inning, lightning in the area forces a delay...we'll let you know a restart time once it is available#Team29 #RollTide pic.twitter.com/rlzZzjEOD3
— Alabama Softball (@AlabamaSB) May 2, 2025

END 2: South Carolina 3, Alabama 0

Bottom 2

Nice response by Riley with a three up, three down inning. She needs to continue to throw strikes.

MID 2: South Carolina 3, Alabama 0

Top 2

Preuitt battles through a long at-bat, but ends up striking out, stranding the two runners.

Giles continues her hot weekend at the plate with a two-out single. Alabama now has runners on the corners. Fourth hit of the series for Giles.

Valentine lays down a sacrifice bunt to move Duchscherer into scoring position with two outs.

Duchscherer works through a long at-bat for a one-out single.

END 1: South Carolina 3, Alabama 0

Bottom 1- South Carolina batting

Ground ball ends the frame, but great start for the Gamecocks.

Three-run home run for Lexi Winters. The runs come back to bite Riley. Gamecocks provide the first big blow of the game. Great response after getting run ruled on Thursday. South Carolina 3, Alabama 0

SOUTH CAROLINA STRIKES FIRST 😤#NCAASoftball x 🎥 SECN+ / @GamecockSoftbll pic.twitter.com/i0U9kZNeqK
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 2, 2025

Groundball to the left side moves both runners into scoring position with two outs.

Riley induces one fly ball for an our, but then she has another walk to put two on with one out.

Not a great start for Riley as she walks Lilio on four pitches.

MID 1: Alabama 0, South Carolina 0

Top 1- Alabama batting

Ellestad strikes out swinging, and the Gamecocks keep Alabama off the board in the first.

Heivilin reaches with a two-out infield single off the pitcher's leg.

Alabama jumped on the Gamecocks early in Game 1. Can they do it again today?

Pregame

Catelyn Riley gets the nod in the circle for the Crimson Tide while Sam Gress will be in the circle for the Gamecocks.

Starting lineups:

Live Blog

Pregame

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