April 18, 2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. – South Carolina could not get the clutch hit in Saturday’s first game against No. 14/16 Kentucky, as the Wildcats (28-15, 5-12 SEC) claimed a 2-0 win in the doubleheader’s first game at John Cropp Stadium.
The Wildcats got a run in the first without the benefit of a hit. Four walks, three on 3-2 counts, forced home a run with two outs. The second UK run scored in the fifth after the Gamecocks’ attempted pickoff throw on a runner at second sailed into center, allowing Sylver Samuel to score.
South Carolina (30-17, 5-12) left eight runners on base in the game, the biggest threat coming in the third. The Gamecocks loaded the bases in the third on an error, a hit and a walk, but Kentucky’s starting pitching Meagan Prince got out of the jam with a grounder to short.
Prince (12-5) tossed 5.2 innings of the shutout, scattering four hits and three walks in the win. Kelsey Nunley picked up her fifth save with two strikeouts in a four-out appearance. Gamecock redshirt senior Julie Sarratt (15-9) went the distance and took the loss, allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits and six walks. She struck out four.
Game Changer:
The four walks that forced across a run in the first inning hurt, but leaving the bases loaded in the third may have done more damage.
Key Stat:
No Wildcat outfielder had a putout or an assist in the contest.
Notables:
• Sarratt’s six walks tie her career high that she had allowed twice before.
• Sophomore right fielder Victoria Williams went 2-for-2, while Taylor Williams and Ansley Ard had the other two Gamecock hits.
• Junior Alaynie Page went 0-for-4, reaching base once on an error. It’s only the third time all year the Gamecocks’ leadoff hitter did not reach base safely.
• Kentucky’s Samuel, Nikki Sagermann, Breanne Ray and Darington Richardson had singles, while Griffin Joiner was walked twice while also being hit by a pitch.
