March 15, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – Chrissy Schoonmaker hit a solo home run in the sixth inning to break up the no-hitter by Monica Abbott and the fourth-ranked Tennessee Lady Vols as the Gamecocks fell to UT 9-1 in six innings. USC fell to 20-11 and 5-2 in the SEC while Tennessee improved to 30-4 and 3-1 in the SEC.
Abbott struck out 15 of the 20 batters she faced and USC’s only baserunner to see extra bases was Schoonmaker when she hit the home run. Ashley Smith was hit by a pitch in the second but never advanced. Aleca Johnson started for the Gamecocks and took the loss as she fell to 2-2. Johnson pitched three innings and gave up four runs on six hits. Freshman Anna McDaniel came in to relieve Johnson and threw three innings as well. McDaniel gave up five runs on five hits. Abbott improved to 21-1 on the year.
UT scored in the second inning when Katherine Card scored on a two-out double by Tonya Callahan. In the third, the Lady Vols led off with three straight singles and loaded the bases with no outs. Becky Martinez and Lisa Longo each made two heads up plays and were able to get two straight outs at the plate. That would not prevent the Lady Vols from scoring however as Shannon Doepking hit a bases clearing double to add three more runs and put UT ahead 4-0.
The Gamecocks were able to keep UT from scoring for two more innings until the sixth when UT charged ahead with a five run inning. With two outs, UT scored the five runs on a two-RBI single by Durant and a three-run home run by Card. Card went 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBIs.
Schoonmaker led off the sixth with a solo home run and was the only Gamecock to get a hit. Abbott struck out the next three batters to end the game and clinch the win for Tennessee.
The Gamecocks return to action Wednesday at 4 p.m. for the final game of the series.
Team 123 456 R H E
Tenn 013 005 9 11 0
USC 000 001 1 1 2
WP: Abbott (21-1)
LP: Johnson (2-2)
