Seniors Swat Gamecocks to a 9-1 (6) Win at No. 14/13 Tennessee
March 10, 2017
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Big flies from a pair of seniors helped South Carolina (18-5, 1-0 SEC) claim a 9-1 (6) win at No. 14/13 Tennessee (19-3, 0-1 SEC) on Friday evening at Lee Stadium.
The Gamecocks took the lead with a huge statement in the second. With two down, a pair of walks to junior Jordyn Augustus and senior Taylor Williams and a hit-by-pitch to junior pinch hitter Shannon Plese loaded the bases, bringing up senior Kaylea Snaer. She blasted a 0-1 pitch over the center-field wall for a grand slam. Tennessee loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning and got a run on Aubrey Leach’s walk, but South Carolina senior Jessica Elliott (8-2) got a ground ball to end the frame with no more damage.
In the third, after junior centerfielder Tiara Duffy drew a walk, senior designated player Victoria Williams deposited the 0-1 offering over the wall in the right-field gap, pushing the Gamecocks’ advantage to 6-1. The Gamecocks made it 9-1 in the sixth, scoring three times with two down on a two-RBI single by junior Krystan White and a run-scoring infield single from Duffy.
Elliott wriggled out of jams most of the night, getting the complete game win. She scattered eight walks and three hits while striking out four Volunteers. Tennessee starter Caylan Arnold (8-3) took the loss, giving up six earned runs in 2.2 innings, walking five and giving up three hits.
GAME CHANGER
Snaer’s move to the leadoff spot for the first time in her career ignited her, as she went 3-for-4 with a double, the grand slam and two runs scored.
KEY STAT
The Gamecocks drew eight walks on the day, the second-most this season, with five of them scoring in the win.
NOTABLES
Snaer shot up South Carolina’s career charts in the contest. She’s now tied for fifth in doubles with former All-American Dana Fulmer (1992-95), in seventh alone in RBI, passing another former All-American Michelle Delloso (1988-91) while also leaping two sports on the total bases charts into 10th, passing Delloso and Samie Garcia (2011-13).
Victoria Williams’ home run ties her for 16th in program history, and the two RBI tie her for 17th. She also walked in her 1-for-3 night.
Taylor Williams and sophomore Kennedy Clark both drew two walks and scored once.
Freshman Mackenzie Boesel, White and Duffy all added hits, with Boesel posting a double.
South Carolina picked up its first conference-opening win since 2008 and its first win at Tennessee since 2002, when the Gamecocks swept the series.
It’s also the Gamecocks’ first win over a ranked team this season.
Leach drew three walks and had an RBI to lead Tennessee.
The Gamecocks turned a double play as well, when Duffy caught a fly ball and threw behind a runner at first to end the third.
TWEET OF THE GAME
Moving Kaylea Snaer to lead off paying off early in this game for @GamecockSoftbll! #2outGrandSlam
— Amanda Scarborough (@ascarborough) March 10, 2017
Quoting head coach Beverly Smith
It was a great way to start SEC play. The team came out from the start of the game and was ready to go. (Elliott) did a good job holding down an excellent Tennessee offense, and the defense played really well behind her, making nice plays to get some key outs. I was really proud of the way our team attacked on offense from the beginning of the game. Kaylea Snaer came up with the big grand slam, which is always a momentum changer. We hit the ball well and strung some things together. Victoria Williams also produced a big home run for us.
Up Next
Game two of the series is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, with the SEC Network showing the game live as part of a softball tripleheader.
