SC Beats College of Charleston 8-2, Sweeps Through Gamecock Invite
Feb. 26, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Behind another standout performance by junior Jordyn Augustus, South Carolina (12-2) downed College of Charleston (7-5) in an 8-2 game on Sunday afternoon to wrap the Gamecock Invitational at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
Augustus, who reached base in all four plate appearances, led three Gamecocks with two hits, adding two RBI, two runs, two stolen bases, a walk and a hit-by-pitch in the victory. She scored the game-tying run in the fourth on freshman Mackenzie Boesel’s ground out, posted RBI singles in the fifth and sixth and stole two bases en route to her second run, which proved to be the final run of the game.
College of Charleston posted a 2-0 lead in the first thanks to an RBI groundout by Jordin Jones and a two-out double by Lexee Emanuel. The Gamecocks cut the lead in half in the second on junior Tiara Duffy’s single that got by both the Cougar first and second basemen. Duffy scored sophomore Kennedy Clark after she started the rally with a one-out infield hit.
After tying things in the fourth, South Carolina poured on three more runs in both the fifth and sixth. Senior Kaylea Snaer started the fifth with a double, and Clark brought her home with a hit to center. After a walk, Augustus laid down a squeeze bunt that she beat out, scoring senior pinch runner Taylor Williams in the process. The Gamecocks loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch, and Boesel drew a walk to bring in the fifth run of the day.
After Augustus’ single to center plated the first run of the sixth, aggressive running brought home the next two. With runners at the corners twice, the Gamecocks stole second, and both times, the Cougars’ throw got away, allowing the lead runners to score.
Gamecock senior Nickie Blue (6-0) picked up the win, tossing five innings and striking out one while giving up four hits and two earned runs. Jessica Elliott picked up her first save of the year with two innings of shutout relief. Cougar reliever Summer Jenkins (0-1) took the loss, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk in two-thirds of an inning.
GAME CHANGER
South Carolina struck at opportune moments in the fifth against the Cougars’ freshman reliever Jenkins.
KEY STAT
In the contest, Blue and Elliott did not issue a walk, limiting the Cougars’ chances.
NOTABLES
Joining Augustus with two hits on the day were Clark and Duffy, with Duffy added two stolen bases and a walk while both drove in one run.
Five different Cougars had hits: Taylor DuPree, Yari Felix, Jones, Taylor Belfiore and Emanuel. Both Belfiore and Emanuel had doubles.
This is the second time this season the Gamecocks did not issue a walk, the first coming in the win over Charlotte two Sundays ago.
In contrast, this game marks the fifth time the Gamecocks tallied five or more walks this season, all coming in wins.
The Gamecocks swept through the weekend’s Gamecock Invitational, picking up three one-run wins on Friday and Saturday over North Dakota State (1-0 twice) and College of Charleston (5-4 in 8 innings).
TWEET OF THE GAME
She’s patiently waiting to see @GamecockSoftbll @jordayyy3 @NickieBlueski33 @tayylerr8 @Kaylea_Annn @VicRuth @scsbcoach_bev @DiamondNavas pic.twitter.com/B6gCLjj5t4
— Rhonda (@carolina_rhonda) February 26, 2017
Quoting Head coach Beverly Smith
Today was a good win for the Gamecocks. It was a complete team win; lots of people contributed to the victory. I was particularly impressed with Jordyn Augustus’s line. She found a way all weekend to be dynamic at the plate. She was behind the plate today after filling in at third base the last two days, and I thought she did a tremendous job all weekend. Kennedy Clark came up big with the go-ahead run in the fourth. That was a big at-bat. Nickie Blue and Jessica Elliott pitched a nice game, combining for the win. I was very proud that we had no walks. They were very efficient at the plate and allowed our defense to play solid behind them.
Up Next
The Gamecocks have a pair on Tuesday, Feb. 28 against in-state rival Winthrop before heading to Fullerton, Calif., for the Judi Garman Classic. First pitch for Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Eagles is set for 3 p.m., with both games scheduled to be on SEC Network + on Watch ESPN.
