March 6, 2010
| Coach Compton |
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A first-inning, two-out RBI double by sophomore Evan Childs proved to be all the Gamecocks needed as South Carolina (9-8) downed DePaul, 1-0, in the final game on Saturday in the Easton SEC/Midwest Challenge at the Alabama Softball Stadium.
Childs had the big hit, while freshman Briana Hamilton went 2-for-2 while also drawing a walk. The Blue Demons (7-6) were led by Tara Voss’ two hits.
The Gamecocks got on the board early when Childs hit the first pitch she saw off the wall in left center for a double to plate freshman Hannah Milks, who drew a one-out walk in a nine-pitch at bat.
South Carolina’s pitching and defense held firm the rest of the way, as DePaul stranded 11 runners on base in the contest.
Junior Ashley Chastain (4-2) picked up the victory with 5.1 innings of shutout ball. She struck out five while walking three and allowing four hits. Becca Heteniak (4-4) got the loss, giving up one earned run on four hits and two walks while fanning nine. Sophomore Kelsey Goodwin picked up her first career save with 1.2 innings of scoreless relief.
Junior Laura Mendes extended her hitting streak to eight games with a single in the sixth. The victory was South Carolina’s first over DePaul in four tries, while the triumph snaps a Gamecock 12-game losing streak at the Alabama Softball Stadium that dated back to 2004.
The Garnet and Black close their first stay of 2010 in Tuscaloosa at 10 a.m. CT on Sunday with a rematch against No. 7 Michigan.
