April 12, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – No. 15 South Carolina (29-12, 13-7) rallied in the bottom of the seventh to take game one of a doubleheader against No. 20 Florida (32-14, 13-6) 2-1. Senior Danielle Quinones hit a two-out RBI double to left field to drive in Jodi Fittro for the winning run. The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Gamecocks and was Carolina’s fifth against a ranked team this season. Stacey Johnson improved to 14-6 while Jenny Gladding fell to 16-8.

Down 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Fittro led off the inning as she reached base on a throwing error by Gator third baseman Jennifer Mossadeghi and advanced to second base. In scoring position, Fittro scored when senior Debralee Troesh tripled to deep centerfield and tied the game 1-1.

With Troesh at third, Florida intentionally walked USC’s Quinones and Meghan Cornett to load the bases and attempt a play at the plate. Florida succeeded as Gladding retired the next three Gamecock batters. Carolina’s Ashley Smith and Tia Rogers both struck out and Nancy Crane grounded out to end the inning tied.

In the bottom of the seventh, Carolina went on a two-out rally as Fittro singled to serve as the go-ahead run. Troesh then followed with a walk, advancing Fittro to second. Fittro eventually scored on a double by Quinones for the walk-off 2-1 win.

For the Gamecocks, Fittro went 2-for-4 with two runs, Crane went 2-for-3 and Troesh went 2-for-2 with an RBI. USC posted seven hits to Florida’s six.