DURHAM, N.C. — Alana Vawter went the distance in the circle for the South Carolina Softball team which earned a 2-1 victory over Utah in the opening game of the Durham Regional.
Vawter improved to 17-12 with her seven-inning outing as she scattered four hits and struck out four while walking a pair.
All of the scoring came in the third inning. Utah scored first on a pair of doubles. Carolina answered in the bottom half of the inning. A leadoff walk by Denver Bryant and a double by Riley Blampied put runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Jen Cummings brought home Bryant and moved Blampied to third. After running the count full, Aniyah Black singled to shallow center, scoring Blampied and giving South Carolina the lead.
The Utes put the tying run on base in each of the final three innings, but Vawter kept the team from Salt Lake City from scoring.
The Gamecocks will face the host school Duke Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.
