May 6, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the second game in a row, the South Carolina Gamecocks clinched victory in extra-innings. Melissa Hendon pitched a complete eight-inning game to help the Gamecocks to a 1-0 win over the Ole Miss Rebels and clinched the series win, 2-1. Lisa Longo hit an RBI single to centerfield to drive in Tori Martin in the bottom of the eighth for the winning run. With the win, the Gamecocks improve to 33-22 and 12-16 in the SEC. Hendon improves to 17-5. Ole Miss falls to 24-33 and 11-17 in conference action as both teams will play in next week’s SEC Tournament.
Tara Willitt took the loss for the Rebels (11-8) as she pitched 7.1 innings and gave up six hits and struck out five. Hendon gave up five hits and struck out six, recording the most single season wins by a Gamecock pitcher since Melanie Henkes posted 19 in 2003.
In the bottom of the eighth, Martin led off the inning with a single to left field to spark the momentum for the Gamecocks. Jessica Josker then grounded out for the first out and advanced Martin, but then Longo came through with her second hit of the game, a single up the middle to score Martin from second. It was second straight game the Gamecocks won in a walk-off situation.
It was the final home game for senior McKenna Hughes as she reached base twice with a hit and an error. South Carolina’s other hits came from Ashton Payne and Lindsay Walker, with Payne recording the only extra-base hit, a double to left field.
Next for the Gamecocks is the SEC Tournament, May 10-12 in Auburn, Ala. The official bracket will be released Sunday evening.
South Carolina 1, Ole Miss 0 (May 06, 2007 at Columbia, S.C.)
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Ole Miss………… 000 000 00 – 0 5 1 (24-33, 11-17)
South Carolina…… 000 000 01 – 1 6 0 (33-22, 12-16)
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Pitchers: Ole Miss – Tara Willitt. South Carolina – Melissa Hendon.
Win-Melissa Hendon(17-15) Loss-Tara Willitt(11-8) T-1:50 A-389
