The South Carolina softball team started the 2023 season strong. The Gamecocks began the year 21-2 before conference play began, but a tough conference stretch saw USC go just 9-15 in the SEC and drop two mid-week games to Clemson. However, what followed the conclusion of the regular season was special. The unranked and 10-seeded Gamecocks entered the SEC Tournament as an NCAA Tournament bubble team that was expected to bow out in the first round against a ranked Texas A&M Aggies squad out for revenge after losing to Carolina a month earlier.