March 20, 2015
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – South Carolina (21-10, 2-5 SEC) got a 4-for-5 effort from junior left fielder Alaynie Page, but a Gamecock error in the 10th handed No. 23/23 Texas A&M (22-7, 4-3 SEC) a 3-2 win at the Aggie Softball Complex on Friday afternoon.
Tied 2-2, the Aggies launched a two-out rally on Cali Lanphear’s double to right and Abby Donnell’s single that snuck through the left side, putting runners at the corners. Erica Russell hit a slow roller to first that the Gamecocks mishandled, letting Lanphear score to end the game 3-2.
South Carolina took a lead on the first pitch when Page drilled it over the wall in left to give South Carolina 1-0 lead. The Aggies tied things in the bottom of the second on Breanna Dozier’s leadoff homer.
The Gamecocks retook the lead in the fifth with three-consecutive singles. Page scored freshman shortstop Krystan White with the third of those hits, as White slid in at the same time as the ball arrived home on the throw from center. The Aggies knotted things again in the bottom of the sixth on Tori Vidales’s homer.
Aggie Rachel Fox (13-4) tossed a complete game, allowing two earned runs on nine hits and two walks. She fanned nine. Gamecock redshirt senior Julie Sarratt (9-5) took the tough-luck loss, giving up an unearned run on two hits in 1.2 innings.
Game Changer:
The Gamecocks looked to move to the 11th on the routine grounder, but the botched pick up ended the contest in the Aggies’ favor.
Key Stat:
Page collected her first career four-hit day, hitting the leadoff homer, stealing a base and driving home two
Notables:
• Page’s leadoff homer is her third of the year.
• The blast tied Page for the single-season record at South Carolina with 12, matching Sarah Mooney’s 2014 tally.
• She’s also now tied for third in career home runs with former teammate Chelsea Hawkins (2011-14) with 21.
• With her third-inning stolen base, Page tied Ashton Payne (2006-09) in 10th on the career charts with 31 swipes.
• The two RBI in the game ties Page for 19th in school history with four others with 84.
• Gamecock sophomore Nickie Blue tossed the first eight-plus innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits and six walks. She struck out eight.
• Aggie catcher Ashley Walters went 2-for-5 with a double, and Donnell also had a two-hit day.
Up Next:
The two teams are set to play the series’ second game at 5:30 p.m. CDT. The SEC Network will broadcast the contest, with Trey Bender and Michele Smith on the call.
