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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Host University of South Carolina scored the game's only run in the fifth inning to defeat North Dakota State University 1-0 on Friday, Feb. 24, in the opening game of the Gamecock Invitational.
 
NDSU (3-8) is scheduled to play the College of Charleston (6-2) at 10 a.m. and South Carolina (9-2) at 12:30 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, Feb. 25.
 
South Carolina, which received votes toward the Top 25 this week, scored in the bottom of the fifth inning. Krystan White led off with a triple to center and scored on Jordyn Augusta sacrifice fly. White went 2 for 2 as the Gamecocks finished with five hits overall.
 
North Dakota State had threatened in the top of the fifth inning. Madyson Camacho walked with one out, stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. Following another walk to Montana DeCamp, South Carolina pitcher Jessica Elliott forced a pop out to end the rally. Vanessa Anderson had NDSU's other base hit in the second.
 
Jacquelyn Sertic (2-7) turned in another solid performance for the Bison on the mound. Sertic struck out six and walked one. She helped herself in the bottom of the second when the Gamecocks had runners on second and third. Sertic snared a line drive and threw to Julia Luciano at third to complete the inning-ending double play.
 
Jessica Elliott (3-1) and Nickie Blue pitched for South Carolina with Elliott recording the win and Blue picking up the save. Elliott allowed two hits, walked four and struck out four over the first five innings. Blue had a strikeout in two innings of relief.