March 20, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina softball continues with its home stand as the Gamecocks host in-state opponent College of Charleston Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Garnet and Black are hoping to snap a two-game losing streak and improve on their 19-10 record, while the Cougars have a two-game win streak in tact and are 15-15.

This will mark the third meeting between the two teams and USC leads the series 2-0. The last time the two teams met was at the Gamecock Invitational in 2004. South Carolina defeated C of C 4-0 in two games.

USC is 18-5 in non-conference games so far this season and 8-1 in non-conference games at home. Against non-conference teams, the Gamecocks are outhitting opponents .275 to .179 and have a 0.88 ERA.

As a team, USC is hitting .251 and the Cougars are hitting .313. In the circle, the Gamecocks have a 1.50 ERA while C of C has a 3.42 mark. Hitting .421, Shannon Howard leads the Cougars at the plate. Lisa Longo leads USC in average with .309 but McKenna Hughes, Ashton Payne and Jessica Josker lead in hits with 26 apiece.