March 11, 2006
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The South Carolina softball team was shut out by No. 6 Alabama, 7-0, in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader at the Alabama Softball Complex in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide swept today’s twin bill and moved its overall record to 20-3 and 5-0 in Southeastern Conference games. The Gamecocks’ record slipped to 17-7 overall and 0-2 in league action.
Alabama got an impressive pitching effort from sophomore hurler Chrissy Owens and did its damage with the long ball. Owens (7-2) tossed a complete game three hitter and struck out 12 Gamecock batters while giving up one walk.
Half of the Crimson Tide’s eight hits were home runs and UA scored five of its seven runs on long balls.
Dominique Accetturo walked with one out and Dani Woods drove the game’s first home to claim a 2-0 lead for the Crimson Tide.
The Crimson Tide led off the fourth and fifth inning with homers as well. Stephanie VanBrakle hit a solo shot to left field. In the fifth, Mandy Burford got things started with a deep ball and Staci Ramsey hit a two-out homer to give Alabama a 5-0 lead.
UA rounded out the scoring in the sixth as Brittany Rogers plated a run with a double and came around to score on a single by Jordan Praytor.
Redshirt freshman pitcher Jessica Barnes (2-2) took the loss for South Carolina. Barnes surrendered eight hits in six innings of work. She walked five and fanned four Alabama batters.
McKenna Hughes, Christie Hamilton and Chrissy Schoonmaker registered Carolina’s three hits.
Alabama extended its win streak to eight straight games with today’s sweep.
The Gamecocks and Crimson Tide will conclude the three-game set on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. CT.
