Feb. 7, 2015

Box Score

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Gamecock senior catcher Sarah Mooney broke through with a two-run homer, sparking a seven-run sixth in South Carolina’s 17-0 win over Delaware State in SC’s first game on Saturday at the Pirate Classic.

Mooney drove a 2-0 pitch over the left field wall, scoring junior right fielder Ansley Ard to get the Gamecocks (2-0) on the board in the sixth. Senior centerfielder Kristen Struett tripled home freshman Tiara Duffy, while both sophomore outfielders Alaynie Page and Ansley Ard ran the score up to 7-0.

The Gamecocks added 10 runs in the seventh on Page’s two-out grand slam, RBI singles from sophomores Effie Manahan and Kate Shereyk and freshman Caroline Cash and a three-RBI double by junior third baseman Jordan Bizzell.

Delaware State (0-4) got its only two hits from Nicole Gazzola, who had a bunt single in the fourth and a two-out hit in the sixth. The Hornets’ Tara Tursellino (0-4) took the loss, giving up 11 earned runs on 17 hits and six walks while fanning four.

Redshirt senior Julie Sarratt (2-0) tossed a two-hit shutout, striking out eight without a walk in seven innings. She moves into a tie for 11th in strikeouts with Melanie Henkes (303) and the complete game ties her for 15th with Cindy Long on the career lists.

Game Changer:
With the runner at second, Mooney got a pitch to drive and did that, sending it into the bushes behind the left field wall.

Key Stat:
Sarratt tossed an efficient shutout, using only 90 pitches in the two-hit win where she faced three over the minimum.

Notables:

• Page and Ard both went 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Page drove in six, hitting the grand slam, while Ard plated two.
• Page’s blast ties her for 17th in Gamecock history with 11, while Mooney grabbed 12th alone with her 13th homer at South Carolina.
• Struett had the triple as part of her 3-for-4 day, scoring twice.
• Bizzell reached base in all five trips, walking three times and getting two hits, including bases-clearing double that capped the scoring.
• The first seventh-inning hits for Cash, Manahan and Shereyk ranked as the first collegiate hits for all.

Tweet of the Game:

Congrats to @GamecockSoftbll on their first two wins! Do it again in 30 mins!

— Ms Carolina Sass ✠(@MsCarolinaSass) February 7, 2015