USC beats Texas A&M to advance in SEC Softball Tournament

At Baton Rouge, La., in the sixth inning on Thursday, USC catcher Olivia Lawrence tied the game with a solo home run, and right fielder Victoria Williams smacked a two-out, three-run double to lead USC (37-19) to a 6-3 win over No. 22 Texas A&M in the first round of the SEC Tournament.

The Gamecocks play No. 2 Florida at 4 p.m. on Thursday on the SEC Network.

Lawrence’s solo shot to right sparked the two-out rally. Hits by freshman Krystan White and junior Alaynie Page along with a hit-by-pitch to senior Kristen Struett brought up Williams. She drove an 0-2 pitch to the gap in left center to clear the bases and give South Carolina the 6-3 lead.

Gamecock sophomore Nickie Blue (20-7) went the distance, giving up three earned runs on six hits and six walks while striking out seven.

Lawrence went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

The Gamecocks won their 17th game all-time in the SEC Tournament and their second for head coach Beverly Smith.

SEC tournament schedule, stats, TV info

This story was originally published May 6, 2015 at 9:30 PM with the headline "USC beats Texas A&M to advance in SEC Softball Tournament."