May 8, 2003

Plant City, Fla. – The No. 5 seed Florida Gators (39-21) found revenge against No. 4 South Carolina (37-17) as the Gators defeated the Gamecocks 6-2 in the first round of the SEC Tournament at Plant City Stadium. After suffering a sweep to the Gamecocks earlier in the season, Florida’s Jenny Gladding held USC to two runs and five hits as she improved to 21-12. Stacey Johnson (16-8) took the loss for Carolina as she gave up six runs and eight hits to the Gators. Jodi Fittro and Kim Evans both went 2-for-4 at the plate while Fittro had USC’s two RBIs.

With the bases loaded in the second inning, Carolina took the lead first as Jodi Fittro hit a two-out double to drive home Kim Evans and Nancy Crane, giving USC a 2-0 lead.

Florida answered back in the third with a four-run inning. Jackie Marchetta, who led off with a walk, scored on a single by Mylin Prieto. Gladding then helped her cause as she hit an RBI-single to right field to tie the game 2-2. Mandy Scheuerman then doubled with one out to give the Gators two more runs and a 4-2 lead.

In the fourth, Kristen Butler hit a two-run homer off of Johnson to put Florida up by four, 6-2. After Prieto reached base on an error by Carolina, Aleca Johnson then entered the game for the Gamecocks to try and get out of the inning. Johnson struck out Gladding to end the inning and prevent any more runs in the inning.

Despite Johnson’s solid relief efforts, that would be all that the Gators would need as Carolina would get only one more hit off of Gladding after the second inning. In 3.1 innings pitched, the sophomore pitcher walked only two batters and gave up zero hits.

The Gamecocks now face elimination and will play the loser of the No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 8 Mississippi State game at 2 p.m. Friday.