March 31, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecock softball team returns home for a mid-week SEC series against the Tennessee Lady Vols, Tuesday and Wednesday, April 1 and 2. Tuesday’s doubleheader is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start while Wednesday’s series finale will start at 4 p.m. The Vols enter the series 31-12 and 4-5 in the SEC while No. 13/15 USC is 24-8 and 8-3 in the SEC. All games can be heard on internet broadcast or followed on Gametracker at www.uscsports.com.

Carolina is coming off of a 5-1 week after sweeping Arkansas 3-0 and winning the series 2-1 against Auburn. Tennessee has not played an SEC series since March 23 when they won the series against Mississippi State 2-1. The Lady Vols currently have a seven-game win streak after hosting a non-conference tournament. Tennessee went 6-0 against Austin Peay, Liberty and Western Kentucky.

As a team, Tennessee is hitting .322 to Carolina’s .272. However on the pitching side, the Gamecocks post a 1.89 ERA to UT’s 2.09. Tennessee has two players hitting over .400 while shortstop Amber Curtis leads Carolina with .402.

The Gamecocks lead the series against Tennessee 14-7 and have won the last six meetings. Carolina’s last loss to the Lady Vols came in 2000. USC also swept Tennessee during their last visit to Columbia and leads the series in Columbia 7-4. The Lady Vols’ last victory in at South Carolina was April 1999.

Promotions for the Tennessee series include “Business Card Day” and “After School Special Day”. On Tuesday, fans can show their business card at the gate and get in for $1 admission. All school children get in free on Wednesday.