There are certain moments in college softball that seem destined to define a program’s identity, and South Carolina’s 2025 postseason surge now has its signature stamp: the utter brilliance of Sam Gress in the circle. With a regional final on the line and everything at stake, Gress delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances of her career, lifting the Gamecocks to a critical 4-0 win over Liberty in the Columbia Regional. Her masterclass on the mound didn’t just shut down a dangerous Flames offense—it reignited belief that South Carolina might be on the verge of something special in the NCAA Tournament.
Gress, the veteran right-hander who transferred from NC State and has blossomed into South Carolina’s ace, was nothing short of spectacular from her first pitch to the last. Her complete-game shutout featured a dazzling array of movement, command, and poise. She allowed just three hits across seven innings, striking out six and walking none. At one point, she retired 13 straight Liberty hitters, breaking their spirit and rhythm with each inning that passed. More than the numbers, it was her presence that stood out—a composed, calculating force in the circle that made the difference in a high-pressure postseason showdown.
From the start, it was clear Gress had complete control of the game. Her fastball had late life, her off-speed pitches danced on the edges, and her rise ball looked nearly untouchable to Liberty hitters swinging over and under it throughout the contest. In a season where South Carolina’s success has often hinged on pitching and defense, Gress reminded everyone why she has been the Gamecocks’ workhorse and go-to weapon all year long.
The win secured South Carolina’s place in the regional final for the first time since 2018, putting them just one win away from a Super Regional berth—a goal that has eluded the program for years. But beyond just advancing, the nature of the win sent a statement. The Gamecocks didn’t squeak by. They dominated. They outclassed Liberty in all facets, with Gress leading the way but getting timely support from her defense and offense as well.
South Carolina’s offense was efficient and clutch, scoring four runs on seven hits. Freshman standout Riley Blampied sparked the offense with a two-run double in the third inning that broke a scoreless tie and gave Gress the cushion she needed to go into attack mode. That hit was emblematic of South Carolina’s approach all season—timely, team-oriented, and built on trusting one another to execute under pressure. Every run felt like a reward for Gress’s continued excellence in the circle.
Also coming through in the clutch was junior outfielder Marissa Gonzalez, who added an RBI single in the fifth to extend the lead to 3-0. Her opposite-field approach showcased the Gamecocks’ discipline at the plate against Liberty ace Karlie Keeney, who had baffled teams throughout the regional with her control and off-speed mix. But on this day, South Carolina was ready for her. They wore her down with long at-bats, moved runners when needed, and avoided the types of mistakes that plagued them in earlier losses this season.
Gress, meanwhile, never allowed Liberty to mount anything resembling a rally. Even when the Flames put runners on—once on a bloop single in the second and again on a two-out base hit in the sixth—she responded with strikeouts and pop-ups, never flinching or allowing the moment to get too big. Her pitch sequencing was masterful, often starting hitters off with inside fastballs before freezing them with changeups and rising fastballs up in the zone. Liberty entered the game averaging over six runs per contest during the regional, but Gress made them look pedestrian.
Her performance earned a standing ovation from the home crowd at Carolina Softball Stadium, and deservedly so. It was a reminder of how far this program has come under head coach Beverly Smith, who has shepherded the Gamecocks through ups and downs over the past decade. Now, with a leader like Gress in the circle, South Carolina looks not only like a threat to make a deep run but like a team playing its best softball at the perfect time.
Smith was effusive in her praise for Gress after the game, calling her “the definition of a competitor” and “exactly the kind of leader you want in the postseason.” That leadership has been evident all year, particularly in high-leverage moments. Gress doesn’t just pitch well—she commands attention, calms nerves, and gives her team a sense of stability that has translated to strong performances across the roster.
The defense behind her was also rock-solid, committing zero errors and making several key plays to preserve the shutout. Shortstop Jordan Fabian flashed the leather on a diving play in the fourth, snaring a ground ball deep in the hole and firing to first for the out. Third baseman Brooke Blankenship made a heads-up play on a bunt to cut down a runner at second, stifling a brief Liberty threat. These are the kind of winning plays that championship-caliber teams make—routine in appearance, but clutch in context.
South Carolina’s path to the regional final has been far from easy. After a narrow 3-2 win over UNC Wilmington in their opener, the Gamecocks found themselves in a slugfest with Liberty earlier in the weekend and dropped a 6-4 heartbreaker. But instead of folding, they bounced back, eliminating UNCW in the losers’ bracket before earning this revenge win over the Flames. That kind of resilience, especially in tournament play, says a lot about the character of the team. It also highlights how valuable experience is, and Gress has plenty of it.
This run has brought South Carolina fans to their feet and injected new life into a program hungry to break through. In a crowded SEC landscape dominated by names like Alabama, Florida, and LSU, South Carolina has often flown under the radar. But this postseason push has turned heads. Gress’s dominance in the circle has drawn national attention, and suddenly, the Gamecocks are a team no one wants to face.
And it’s not just the wins. It’s the way they’re winning—methodical, confident, and with clear chemistry between players and coaches. The dugout energy has been electric, the communication tight, and the execution sharp. It’s the kind of run that gives off “team of destiny” vibes, though no one in Columbia is thinking beyond the next game just yet.
The regional final looms, and South Carolina will likely need Gress to deliver again. Whether she starts or comes in later in relief, there’s no question her arm will be a major factor. She’s now thrown over 140 pitches across the weekend, but you wouldn’t know it watching her performance. She works efficiently, rarely gets behind in counts, and thrives in pressure-packed innings. That ability to pitch deep into games is invaluable in tournament settings where pitching depth is often tested.
It’s also worth noting how far Gress has come in her own journey. Once a relatively unheralded recruit, she’s turned into one of the SEC’s most dependable pitchers. After transferring to South Carolina, she committed herself to refining her mechanics, improving her pitch mix, and becoming a more vocal leader. The results speak for themselves—not just in her stats, but in her impact on the team. Her teammates trust her implicitly, and her coaches rely on her to set the tone. She’s done exactly that.
This regional run has brought out the best in the Gamecocks, and while Gress has been the star, she’s not alone. The lineup has produced when needed, the bullpen has held leads, and the coaching staff has pushed all the right buttons. It’s been a collective effort, with each player understanding their role and executing it when the lights are brightest. That’s the hallmark of a well-prepared team.
Looking ahead, South Carolina has a real shot to reach the Super Regionals and possibly beyond. The pieces are there—a dominant ace, a deep and disciplined lineup, and a defense that refuses to give anything away. Add in a home crowd that has shown up in full force all weekend, and it’s a formula built for postseason success. The buzz around Columbia is growing louder, and it centers on a pitcher who just threw her name into the national spotlight with a performance for the ages.
Sam Gress didn’t just win a game—she delivered a statement. She showed what it looks like to lead with grit, to compete with joy, and to seize the biggest moments with full confidence. If South Carolina’s magical postseason ride continues, we’ll all look back at this dominant shutout and remember where it truly began: with one pitcher, one game, and one unforgettable day in Columbia.
