Feb. 27, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – With eight starters collecting hits, South Carolina (13-4) downed Charleston Southern 10-3 to start the Gamecocks’ part of the Carolina Classic on Friday evening at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
Senior centerfielder Kristen Struett reached base five times, going 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a walk and three runs scored in the victory, while senior catcher Sarah Mooney and junior right fielder Ansley Ard both added two-hit days. Mooney drove in three, one with an RBI triple in the first and the others on a two-run home run in the third. Sophomore third baseman Taylor Williams contributed a solo blast in the second.
Gamecock starting pitcher Nickie Blue (7-1) picked up the win with four innings of work, giving up two earned runs on two hits. The two runs came in the first on Cheyenne Gandara’s homer to left, scoring Stevi Johnson after her two-out single. Gandara (5-4) took the loss for the Buccaneers (9-6), allowing nine runs, seven earned, on 11 hits and four walks in 4.1 innings.
South Carolina freshman Hayley Copeland tossed the final three innings for her first collegiate save, giving up a run on two hits and four walks. Both Blue and Copeland recorded three strikeouts.
Game Changer:
Williams’ light-tower clearing blast to start the second put the Gamecocks on top for good.
Key Stat:
Nine different Gamecocks had hits, seven drew walks, five drove in runs and seven scored them in the balanced offensive night.
Notables:
• Struett records her first four-hit day as a Gamecock, while Mooney tallies her first Gamecock triple.
• Junior designated player Jordan Bizzell reached base three times on a hit, a walk and a hit by pitch.
• Freshman shortstop Krystan White doubled and walked, while redshirt sophomore second baseman Lauren Masters walked twice and had an RBI single.
Tweet of the Game:
Gorgeous Carolina night to take in some @GamecockSoftbll and the view. #Gamecocks #LivingTheDream @GamecocksOnline pic.twitter.com/UGUVkfFZj5
— Dillon Clancey (@DillonClancey) February 27, 2015
Up Next:
South Carolina takes on Marshall at 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Gamecocks’ only contest on day two of the Carolina Classic.
