March 3, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Despite an explosive inning to win game one against Charlotte, South Carolina bats fell silent in game two as the Gamecocks fell to the 49ers, 2-1, to split the doubleheader Saturday. The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Gamecocks, who are now 16-3. Charlotte’s Christy Murray improved to 8-0, while Kate Pouliot suffered her first loss of the season and fell to 9-1.
Gamecock miscues allowed Charlotte to score two runs in the fifth inning. Pouliot pitched a perfect game for 4.1 innings before Cee Brooks got a single. The next batter, Emily Forbes, reached on a fielder’s choice after the Gamecocks’ attempt to get the lead runner out at second were unsuccessful. The Charlotte runners then advanced to second and third on a groundout and were in prime scoring position. Keri Palma then singled to second base to score Brooks, but an error by Caitlin Marsh allowed Forbes to score and Charlotte took the 2-0 lead. USC was able to get out of the inning after the next batter fouled out, but the damage had already been done.
South Carolina was able to get a runner on base in the fifth after Marsh reached on an error with one out, but a line out and a groundout prevented Marsh from advancing and left her stranded.
Charlotte continued to battle in the sixth and got two more hits but no runs came across as the 49ers held on to their lead. USC went down in order in the sixth and Charlotte followed in the seventh.
The Gamecocks rallied in the seventh as Jacqueline Wetherbee singled to lead off the inning with a sharp line drive back to the pitcher. Cagney Davis, who had scored in four of the last games she had played in, entered the game to pinch run for Wetherbee. After a foul out by Tori Martin, the Gamecocks followed with back-to-back hits by Jessica Josker and Melissa Hendon and advanced Davis to third. With bases loaded, SEC Freshman of the Week selection, Lindsay Walker singled to centerfield to score Davis and cut the 49ers lead in half. With the run, Davis scored in her fifth straight game. Adele Voigt was next at the plate and with the bases still loaded, Voigt reached on a fielder’s choice, however, Charlotte made a play at the plate and threw Josker out at home for the second out. The intensity was high as McKenna Hughes stepped to the plate next. The bases were still loaded and Hughes drew a full count but got caught swinging as she struck out to end the inning and the game.
South Carolina had six hits, four were in the sixth inning. Pouliot held the 49ers to four hits, gave up one earned run and struck out nine batters.
The Gamecocks return to action Sunday afternoon when they take on the Pittsburgh Panthers at 1 p.m. at Beckham Field. The eight straight wins for the Gamecocks is a season best. It is the most consecutive wins for the Garnet and Black since 2004.
Charlotte 2, South Carolina 1 (Mar 03, 2007 at Columbia, S.C.) (Game 2)
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Charlotte……….. 000 020 0 – 2 4 1 (15-2)
South Carolina…… 000 000 1 – 1 6 1 (16-3)
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Pitchers: Charlotte – Christy Murray. South Carolina – Kate Pouliot.
Win-Christy Murray(8-0) Loss-Kate Pouliot(9-1) T-1:33 A-306
Game notes: South Carolina’s win streak has been snapped at eight games. The eight straight wins is a season high and the most since 2004.
