May 12, 2002

Chattanooga, Tenn. – South Carolina (43-18) fell short of the SEC Tournament Championship Title game as the Georgia Bulldogs (57-14) defeated the Gamecocks 4-3 in an elimination game. USC recorded 10 hits for the fourth consecutive game. Senior Adrianna Baggetta led the team by going 9-for-14 for the tournament and scored six runs.

UGA scored three runs off of starter Stacey Johnson (14-9) in the top of the first before Megan Matthews was brought in for relief. With only one out and two UGA runners on base, Matthews came in and struck out the next two batters to get USC out of the inning without any more damage.

In the bottom of the third inning, USC had runners on first and second with one out and Debralee Troesh hit a single down the left field line, but base running mistakes stranded two runners Gamecocks at third base at one time, leading to the third out of the inning.

Carolina came within one of the Bulldogs in the fourth as Baggetta singled to right field and came home on a single by Meghan Cornett.

In the top of the sixth with a runner on, UGA’s Michelle Green grounded out to second base with just one out and pinch runner Pam Stewart ran to home all the way from second and UGA took a 4-2 lead. USC pulled to within one run for the second time in the game as Troesh doubled to reach base and eventually came home on a single by Cornett.

The Gamecocks attempted a rally in the seventh but fell short as UGA’s Nichole Urban (13-1) recorded her second win of the tournament.

USC will find out about their bid for the NCAA Regional which will be announced Sunday, May 12 at 9 p.m. (EDT).