Gamecocks Drop Series Opener Against Alabama

COLUMBIA, S.C. —- Three-straight hits to start the game and some costly errors proved to be the difference as No. 17 South Carolina softball dropped a 9-1 series opener against No. 4 Alabama on Friday at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field. Carolina had 6 hits on the night but could plate just one run as the Crimson Tide’s Sarah Cornnell remained undefeated on the season in the circle. 
 
With the win, Alabama improved to 8-2 in conference play while Carolina moved to 3-9. 
 
The Gamecocks will look to even the series tomorrow night at 6:00 PM ET on ESPN. Carolina will honor former player Trinity Johnson pregame as the program will retire her jersey. This marks the first retired softball jersey in program history. 
 
South Carolina (26-11, 3-9 SEC) found itself in an early hole just three batters into the series opener as the Crimson Tide started the contest with a trio of hits to take a 2-0 lead through the first inning. 
 
The teams traded scoreless frames until Alabama (38-2, 8-2) plated two more in the sixth to extend the lead to 4-0. 
 
Five more runs in the seventh gave Alabama the eventual 9-0 lead it wouldn’t surrender. Alexis Lindsey blasted a home run over the wall in right on the first pitch of the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to 9-1 but it wasn’t enough as Carolina dropped to 3-9 against ranked opponents this year.
 
Cayla Drotar (6-5, 0-4) took the loss in the circle for the Gamecocks. 
 
Mackenzie Boesel and Lindsey had two hits on the night to lead the way for Carolina. Kenzi Maguire and Madison Owens also had hits in the opener. 
 
NOTES

• Carolina drew two hit by pitches on the night. This marked the fifth game out of the last six the Gamecocks have had a least one and the 31st game out of 37 overall. 
• Mackenzie Boesel had her eighth multi-hit game of the year. It was her first multi-hit contest in conference play. Alexis Lindsey also posted a multi-hit performance. It was her third on the season and first in SEC play. 
• Cayla Drotar got two batters looking on strikeouts. The Gamecocks came into the weekend leading the SEC in strikeouts looking in conference play. 
• Jana Johns and Kenzi Maguire have reached base in seven-consecutive games. That mark is tied for the best-active streak from Carolina hitters. 
• The Gamecocks moved to 1-4 in SEC series openers this season following the Alabama Friday night game.