Feb. 26, 2006
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sophomore Lisa Longo served as the offense for South Carolina (9-5) as she drove in the first two runs and scored the third in the Gamecocks’ 3-0 win over N.C. State (9-5) Sunday afternoon. In what was a pitcher’s duel, USC’s Christie Hamilton and NCSU’s Abbie Sims combined for 23 strikeouts. In seven innings pitched, Hamilton (6-3) struck out 10 and gave up only two hits, while Sims allowed three runs on five hits with 13 strikeouts.
Sims struck out the entire line up the first time through before the Gamecocks were able to put the ball into play in the fourth inning. Jessica Josker broke up the perfect game and the no-hitter with a one-out single in the fourth. Hamilton then drew a two-out walk to give USC runners at second and first. That was when Longo came through with single up the middle and drove in Josker and put the Garnet and Black up 1-0.
USC added two more runs in the sixth when McKenna Hughes doubled with one out and then came home on a triple by Longo, the first of her career. Ashley Smith then singled to right field to score Longo for the third run of the game and gave the Gamecocks a 3-0 lead.
After Hamilton gave up a two-out single to the Wolfpack in the second inning, she maintained control of the game and retired the next 13 batters, including seven strikeouts. NCSU’s next hit came in the seventh inning when Sims tried to help her cause as she hit an infield single to short. Hamilton did not back down and recorded two more outs to preserve the win for the Gamecocks.
The shutout marked the second complete game shutout of the year for Hamilton, the sixth for the Gamecocks overall. It also marked Hamilton’s third 10-plus strikeout game of the season. With the win, USC is moves to 1-1 in the tournament.
