Feb. 7, 2004
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The South Carolina Gamecock softball team set a school record for home runs in a single game as they defeated the Charlotte 49ers 13-0 in game two of a doubleheader Saturday. USC hit five home runs, which surpassed the previous school record of four set back in 1994. Samantha Jennings and Amber Curtis each hit two home runs while Ashley Smith hit her third of the day in USC’s offensive explosion. Pitcher Stacey Johnson (1-0) recorded her first win of the season for the Gamecocks (2-0) as Christy Murray (0-1) took the loss for the 49ers (0-2).
For the second time during the day, USC took a 2-0 lead in the first inning off of a two-run homer. Curtis provided the runs as she recorded her ninth career home run. It was the first home run for Curtis since 2002.
USC added three more runs in the second to go up 5-0 but it was the fourth inning that the Gamecocks’ bats came alive. The Garnet and Blacks first five batters all reached base and scored as Jennings and Smith each drove in two runs. Freshman McKenna Hughes recorded her first collegiate RBI as she drove in Meghan Cornett to put USC up 10-0. The Gamecocks continued to bat through the lineup before ending the inning.
After the third inning, Charlotte could not manage a hit against the Gamecocks and had to settle for four for the entire game. In the fifth, USC hit back-to-back home runs by Jennings and Curtis and pinch runner Margaret Person scored her first collegiate run on a RBI double by Hughes.
USC recorded 13 runs on 18 hits, including four doubles. Curtis led the Gamecocks as she went 4-for-4, with four runs and four RBI. Jennings went 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI. Hughes went 2-for-4 and recorded two RBI.
South Carolina is now 16-2 in season openers and 25-2 against the 49ers. For the day, USC hit eight home runs, scored 21 runs and had 27 hits and 20 RBI.
The Gamecocks return to action on Sunday as they face the North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Team 123 45 R H E
USC 230 53 13 18 2
CHA 000 00 0 4 3
WP: S. Johnson (1-0)
LP: Murray (0-1)
