Feb. 16, 2008
HENDERSON, Nev. – Oregon pitcher Alicia Cook threw seven strong innings to lead the Ducks to a 3-0 victory over South Carolina to wrap up the Gamecocks’ second day in the UNLV Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. The Garnet and Black fall to 3-7 on the season, while the Ducks move to 4-5.
Oregon took the early 1-0 lead in the first when Cortney Kivett scored on Neena Bryant’s single that whistled past Becky Martinez at third. Kivett got on base via the hit by pitch with one out and moved into scoring position on a stolen base. The Ducks added a pair of insurance run in the top of the seventh on back-to-back RBI singles by Bryant and Lovena Chaput.
Carolina threatened in the bottom half of the first when Laura Mendes took first on a two-out hit by pitch. She then beat the defense on two consecutive plays, helping the Gamecocks load the bases. Sophomore shortstop Lindsay Walker then stepped up and lined one back through the middle. Kivett knocked the ball down, and it rolled the three feet to the shortstop Chaput, who had her foot on the bag to retire Martinez, who was running from first, to end the frame.
In the fifth, Carolina had two runners on with one down after Cassie Gogreve got a walk and Adele Voigt reached on an error on the sacrifice bunt attempt. But a fly out and a ground out ended the inning.
The Gamecocks threatened again in the bottom of the sixth, as Jill Semento reached first after being hit by the pitch. With two down, Walker lined a ball down the right field line that the home plate umpire called foul. When the at bat resumed, Cook struck out Walker to close the frame.
The seventh saw the Gamecocks get the leadoff runner on, as Jessica Josker legged out an infield single. However, she was forced out at second on P.J. Fulmer’s fielder’s choice. A strikeout and a ground out ended Carolina’s comeback bid.
Cook (2-3) went the distance, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out eight. Melissa Hendon (0-4) also pitched a complete game, allowing six hits, three runs, two earned and four walks. She tallied eight strikeouts as well.
South Carolina concludes its Las Vegas trip on Sunday with a 9 a.m. PST game against Cal State Northridge at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park in Henderson, Nev.
