Augustus' Sac Fly Leads Gamecocks to 1-0 Win over NDSU
Feb. 24, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Returning to form in its first home game in two weeks, South Carolina (9-2) got a two-hit shutout from its senior pitchers in a 1-0 win over defending Summit League champion North Dakota State (3-8) on day one of the Gamecock Invitational at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
In the fifth, junior shortstop Krystan White tripled to start the frame. After a pop out, junior Jordyn Augustus, who made her first career start at the hot corner, drove the first pitch of her at-bat into center, deep enough to let White score on the sacrifice fly.
That proved to be enough for the Gamecock pitchers, as senior Jessica Elliott (3-1) tossed five innings of the combined shutout, giving up the two Bison hits and four walks while fanning four. Senior Nickie Blue came on and tossed a perfect two frames for her first save of the year, which ties her for the South Carolina career record with Aleca Johnson (2002-05).
Ohio starter Jacquelyn Sertic (2-7) took the loss, allowing the one earned run on five hits and a walk. She struck out six.
GAME CHANGER
White’s leadoff triple in the fifth put the pressure on North Dakota State, and after Augustus’ sac fly, the Bison couldn’t answer against Blue.
KEY STAT
The Gamecock pitching staff tossed its fifth shutout of the season in the team’s 11th game, the best start to the year by the group since 2014, when the hurlers tallied seven shutouts in the first 12 games.
NOTABLES
White ranked as the only player with multiple hits, and her triple stands as the second in her career.
After committing nine errors in the last four games, the Gamecocks did not make a miscue defensively. They are 7-0 when not making an error.
Augustus, making the spot start at third, had four assists in the game, most by a Gamecock.
Junior Alyssa VanDerveer alongside seniors Victoria Williams and Kaylea Snaer tallied hits, with Snaer posting her second double of the campaign.
In a pregame ceremony, the Gamecocks honored head coach Beverly Smith for her 200th win, which came in the last game at home on Feb. 12.
TWEET OF THE GAME
@GamecockSoftbll sac fly for the lead 🙌🏼 @jordayyy3
– Jackie Augustus (@JackieAugustus) February 24, 2017
Quoting Head coach Beverly Smith
Today’s win was exciting. We faced a tough pitcher in Sertic today; she was the Summit League’s Pitcher of the Year last year, and she certainly did a nice job. But Krystan White had a day at the plate, and it was Jordyn Augustus who stepped up big with the sacrifice fly. Jordy did a super job at third base today. You never would have known it was her first day at third. She had a great game, and I am happy for Jordy.
Our pitchers threw a very nice game. Together Jessica (Elliott) and Nickie (Blue) tossed an excellent game. The thing I was most proud of is that there were no back-to-back positive plays for North Dakota State. Anytime something happened, we got an out on the next play. That was solid for both our pitchers and our defense.
Up Next
South Carolina continues the Gamecock Invitational on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against the NDSU Bison before closing the day’s action against the College of Charleston at 4 p.m.
