COLUMBIA, S.C. — Donnie Gobourne pitched a complete game one-hit shutout Sunday afternoon to lead the South Carolina (26-9, 3-6) softball team to a 3-0 victory and an SEC series win over 11th ranked Florida (26-9, 4-5).
The series win over the Gators is the first for the Gamecocks since sweeping them during the 2003 season. It’s the first SEC series win, and first SEC series win over a ranked opponent, since defeating Auburn in 2019.
Gobourne carried a no-hit bid down to the last strike in the top of the seventh, before surrendering a double to left. She became the first Gamecock to throw a one-hitter since Kelsey Oh against Charleston Southern on April 7, 2021. She shutout a Gator offense that leads the SEC in scoring and batting average. She finished with 15 strikeouts and four walks on 137 pitches. Topping 75 mph multiple times, Gobourne recorded 11 swinging strikeouts and got four batters looking. She is the first Carolina pitcher to record 15 strikeouts in a game in 16 years since Melissa Hendon did so against the College of Charleston on February 22, 2007.
Gobourne received all the offensive help she would need in the bottom of the second when Riley Blampied launched her sixth home run of the season into the netting in left field.
Blampied came through again for the Gamecocks in the third. With one out, Jordan Fabian walked and after a fielder’s choice, Aniyah Black also drew a walk to setup Blampied. On the first pitch, Blampied doubled down the right field line, scoring Zoe Laneaux. The Florida second baseman made a wild throw home, allowing Black to score on the play.
The Gamecocks return to action April 6-8 for an SEC series at No. 17 Alabama.