COLUMBIA, SC – North Carolina A&T continued play in the Gamecock Classic hosted by the University of South Carolina (USC) with a 9-1 loss in six innings to USC at Carolina Softball Stadium. The Aggies are 0-3 at the Gamecock Classic thus far, with losses to Power Fives Illinois and USC. A&T is 2-14 on the season. 

Sophomore Dezianna Patmon had both of A&T's hits, with one of those hits coming in the first inning when she doubled to right center field to score Alyxx Estrada, who opened the game with a walk. Patmon advanced to third on a groundout but was doubled off third when Megan Ellis lined out to second and second baseman Giulia Desiderio threw over to third for the force out. 

The Gamecocks (18-2) tied the game in the second and took the lead in the third. Zoe Laneaux's two-run home run gave USC a 3-1 lead. Aniyah Black followed with a solo blast as a part of a four-run third that gave USC a 5-1 advantage. 

USC added three more runs in the fifth. Riley Blampied's two-run double highlighted the inning. Black ended the game in the sixth with a solo home run, giving the home team Gamecocks an eight-run lead after five innings. 

The Aggies will finish the final day of the Gamecock Classic, with a non-conference game against fellow Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) member UNC Wilmington Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Jori Heard won the game in the circle for USC to improve to 4-0. Joey Barkimer (1-3) got the loss for A&T. Blampied, Laneaux and Black had two RBI apiece for USC.