April 3, 2002

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Adrianna Baggetta hit a two-run, game-tying homer in the fourth inning and added a go-ahead solo shot in the sixth to lift South Carolina (26-11, 7-5 SEC) to a 4-3 win over Tennessee ( 31-17-1, 6-10 SEC) and complete the three-game sweep in Knoxville Wednesday afternoon. The Gamecocks stretch their winning streak over the Lady Vols to six games and maintain their hold on first place in the SEC East Division.

Neither team scored in the first two innings, but the offense came on in the third for both teams. USC junior Jodi Fittro singled to center to begin the inning and then junior Kim Evans roped an RBI double to left to score Fittro. The Gamecocks could get no more run production for the inning despite another double by Debralee Troesh.

The Lady Vols also put up the offense in the third, scoring three runs on four hits on all three Carolina pitchers. Megan Mathews (14-4) started the game and was replaced by sophomore Stacey Johnson after giving up three runs on four hits. Tennessee had the bases loaded when freshman Aleca Johnson came into the game with only one out. She got the next two UT batters with a ground ball and a fly-out to left field. Tennessee would score no more runs as Johnson would strike out six and allow only two hits in the final 4.2 innings.

Down 3-1 in the fourth inning, the Gamecocks got back on track offensively as Bagetta hit the first of her two home runs. This one was a two-shot blast that scored Meghan Cornett, who had walked, and tied the game at three runs apiece.

The game would stay tied until the sixth inning, when Baggetta hit her second home-run, this time a solo-shot, to score the winning run.

All three games of the USC vs. Tennessee series will be televised on a delayed broadcast schedule by Comcast Sports Southeast. If you wish to see the games, you can log on to www.css-sports.com to check local listings.

The Gamecocks will next be in action at home on April 6-7 when they play a series with SEC rival Auburn. The Saturday doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.