April 3, 2002

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – In South Carolina’s 5-4 victory over Tennessee, senior pitcher Megan Matthews became the 13th pitcher to reach 1,000 strikeouts in a career. Matthews reached the milestone when UT’s Hannah Low struck out swinging with one out in the fourth inning of game one.

The Greer, S.C. native joins former standout Trinity Johnson as Carolina’s only pitchers to reach this pinnacle and becomes the third pitcher in SEC history as well. In addition to Johnson, LSU’s Britni Sneed joined the ranks when she recorded 1,000 in early March of this year.

Johnson holds the all-time record for Carolina with 1,032 and after recording nine in the Tennessee win, Matthews need just 28 more strikeouts to tie the record.

Matthews is currently Carolina’s all-time leader in appearances (172), innings pitched (983.1), walks allowed (178) and complete games (115). Matthews is also 11 wins away from claiming the all-time wins title for the Gamecocks as well.

For the season, Matthews is 14-4, 4-2 in the SEC. She has started 19 games in 20 appearances, completed 16 and recorded nine shutouts. In 112.1 innings pitched, she has recorded 128 strikeouts.