May 16, 2002
Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina first baseman Meghan Cornett drove in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Gamecocks defeated the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 2-1 in eight innings at Beckham Field. Megan Matthews would get her 100th career win at South Carolina.
South Carolina (44-18) advances to face SEC Eastern Division foe Georgia Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the second round of the 2002 NCAA Softball Regional in Columbia, S.C. Eastern Kentucky (36-13) will face the winner of the Liberty-UMBC game Friday at 2:00 p.m. in the double elimination tournament.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, with two outs Melissa Sandel hit a solo home run to center to get the Gamecocks on the board first. That would be all the Gamecocks would be able to get that inning as Samantha Jennings would fly out to center to end the inning.
In the top of the sixth, EKU’s Diana Barreras lead off with a single to the shortstop and then advanced to second on a passed ball. The next batter, Elise Burch, struck out swinging. Following Burch, Jennifer Norris grounded out to the third baseman, giving the Colonels two outs. Ashley Totten singled to the second baseman. Barreras advanced to third, then scored on an error by South Carolina second baseman Debralee Troesh, which tied the game at one apiece. That would be all the Colonels could muster as Amy Herrington would strike out looking, ending the half inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, with two outs and Melissa Sandel on second base, Jodi Fittro would hit a shot to the gap in right-center, but EKU’s centerfielder, Kelli Bromley would make a diving catch to send the game into extra innings.
EKU would go three up, three down sending Carolina to the plate once again. Leading off the bottom half of the eighth, Tia Rogers pinch hit for Kim Evans and single to left field. Evans would return to run for Rogers and would advance to second as Amber Curtis would lay down a sacrifice bunt. Debralee Troesh would double to centerfield and would advance to third on the throw and Evans would try for home, but would be thrown out by the Colonels from the centerfielder to the catcher with a relay from the second baseman. EKU would then intentionally walk Adriana Baggetta, who would advance to second as Meghan Cornett would single to left field. That single by Cornett would drive in the winning run as Debralee Troesh would score and give the Gamecocks the 2-1 win.
“We knew that this was going to be a hard-fought game,” said Carolina Head Coach Joyce Compton. “Their pitcher did a great job of getting pitches when she needed them. We did a great job in the last innign of getting a runner on board and picking up the two-out hit. I feel really confident when when we’re starting a rally and getting runs with two outs.”
“I think we almost showed how good we are,” commented EKU pitcher Jonelle Csora. “We came a run short of showing how good we are. We played well, but we didn’t hit the ball. You can throw a no-hitter, but the team still needs to hit the ball. I expect us to do well in the next game. We are a good team and are having fun.”
