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South Carolina vs. Cal State Fullerton: How to watch, biggest keys for Gamecock softball

The Gamecocks are making their 25th appearance in the postseason in Los Angeles.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
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South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) hit a home run against Clemson during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
South Carolina senior Jamie Mackay (20) hit a home run against Clemson during the top of the seventh inning at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson Tuesday, April 14, 2026. | Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network South Carolina / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The South Carolina Gamecocks are back in the NCAA postseason. On Friday night, the Gamecocks will be making their 25th trip to the Big Dance, and it marks South Carolina's second straight time in the postseason under head coach Ashley Chastain. 

The Gamecocks, who finished 30-26 on the season, were selected as a No. 7 seed in the UCLA Regional. Although South Carolina is barely above .500 on the season, the Gamecocks finished the season 25th in the RPI, and third in strength of schedule nationally behind just Arkansas and Ole Miss. 

South Carolina will play Cal State Fullerton in the first round, but the regional includes the hosting Bruins, as well as Cal Baptist. The Gamecocks haven't faced the Titans since 2003, but Cal State has won all five all-time meetings between the two programs. 

The Gamecocks lost 5-4 to UCLA earlier this season, and have never played Cal Baptist in program history. 

South Carolina vs. Cal State Game 1 details

  • When: Friday, May 15
  • First Pitch: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Live streaming: ESPN+

Cal State Fullerton, is 40-13 on the season, and just won the Big West Championship tournament by out-scoring UC Davis, Hawaii and UC Santa Barbara 11-4. 

All time, the Gamecocks have a 54-54 overall record in the NCAA Tournament, but boast a 15-10 advantage in opening-round regional contests. 

Biggest keys for the Gamecocks vs. Cal State Fullerton

Although South Carolina has scored 288 runs on the season, the Gamecocks bats have been quiet towards the end of the year. Dating back to April 24, South Carolina scored just 20 runs across eight games, including a 9-1 victory over South Carolina State. South Carolina has gone 3-5 across that stretch. The Gamecocks' home run leader in Tori Ensley, who has hit 13 homers on the season, has to get hot in this one most likely. Since the Gamecocks' home series vs. Texas A&M, she has just 10 hits with seven runs.   In South Carolina's last 

On the mound, Gamecock starting pitcher Jori Head has to just keep doing what she's been doing all season. She has just a 1.95 ERA all season, with an 11-11 overall record as a starter. Cal State Fullerton entered the postseason ranked 20th overall nationally in batting average on the season (.340), so this will be an interesting matchup for Heard.  

With a victory over the Titans, South Carlina would move onto the winner's bracket to face the winner of Friday night's game between No. 2 UCLA and Cal Baptist. With a loss, the Gamecocks would have to make it out of the losers bracket to advance within the regional, which will take place on Saturday. 

The host team UCLA Bruins made it all the way to the Big Ten Tournament final, but fell 7-2 to Nebraska in the title game. During the regular season, the Bruins led the nation in home runs (182), on-base percentage (.495), slugging percentage (.835) and runs per game (10.80). 

ALSO READ: Why South Carolina fans should join ESPN, SEC in opposing 24-team CFP

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