Feb. 23, 2003

Columbus, Ga. – The 16th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks defeated No. 15 Michigan, 3-0 Sunday to close out the NFCA Lead-Off Classic with a 2-1 record. Starting pitcher Stacey Johnson (5-3) earned a complete game shutout, giving up only two hits and striking out eight Wolverine batters.

The Gamecocks opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning. Meghan Cornett smashed a bases loaded single , scoring Tia Rogers and Melissa Sandel to give USC a 2-0 lead. The Gamecocks added another run in the fifth inning when Debralee Troesh homered to right field, making it 3-0 Gamecocks.

For her performance, Troesh was named to the Lead-Off Classic All-Tournament team. Johnson gave up one hit over the final two innings to preserve the win.

With the victory, USC improves to 9-5 on the year. Next weekend, the Gamecocks hit the road again, this time to Tampa, Florida for the University of South Florida Strawberry Festival Tournament. USC will battle Troy State and Western Michigan on Feb. 28, Central Michigan and Oakland College (MI) on March 1, and Virginia Tech on March 2.