Feb. 5, 2005
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senior Meghan Cornett led the Gamecocks with a 3-for-3 performance against Coastal Carolina Saturday as USC defeated the Lady Chanticleers 8-2 and improved to 2-0 in the Gamecock Invitational. Cornett recorded an impressive day as she went 7-for-7, including five singles, a double, a triple, a walk and four RBI in two games. Freshman pitcher Jessica Barnes (1-0) made her college debut and came out with a victory as she pitched 4.1 innings and gave up two runs on three hits.
Barnes struck out the first two batters she faced before USC gave her a three-run cushion in the second inning. Chrissy Schoonmaker hit a two-out single and Becky Martinez followed with another hit to give the Gamecocks runners at first and second. USC loaded the bases when Darcy Norem drew a walk and on a left field single by Jessica Josker, the Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead. Two more runs came in when Cornett hit her sixth hit of the day and gave USC a 3-0 lead.
Coastal ruled out any shutout hopes for the Gamecocks in the third inning when Katey Allen drew a one out walk and eventually scored on an RBI single by Allison Cantrell.
In the bottom of the fifth, Coastal led off with a walk and a single, and threatened to tie the game. With one out and runners at second and third, Aleca Johnson came in to relieve Barnes and to try and rescue the Gamecocks out of a jam. The next batter, Meagan Johnson, flied out into a double play but Coastal was still able to get a run across and cut the lead in half.
Johnson returned in the sixth and seventh and struck out five of the six batters she faced allowing her to pick up her first save of the season, 14th of her career.
For the day, USC combined for 14 runs and 25 hits including six doubles and a triple. USC pitchers allowed only five hits and two runs.
The Gamecocks return to action Sunday morning at 11 a.m. when they face UNC-Greensboro. The Gamecock Invitational will conclude with 1:00 and 3:00 games.
Team 123 456 7 R H E
USC 030 104 0 8 12 0
CC 001 010 0 2 3 1
WP: J. Barnes (1-0)
LP: Doyle (0-1)
