Feb. 16, 2013
ORLANDO, Fla. – Behind a commanding one-hit performance from sophomore starting pitcher Katelynn Howser, South Carolina (6-2) shut out Buffalo (1-3) 8-0 in five innings to close out Saturday’s action at the UCF Holiday Inn Select Tournament.
Howser (1-0) only allowed one hit off her own glove and hit one batter in the five-inning shutout. Howser struck out three. Senior shortstop Samie Garcia and junior second baseman Dana Hathorn both posted three hits, with Garcia adding a triple, two runs scored and two RBI while Hathorn doubled, scored once and drove in a run. Junior right fielder Chelsea Hawkins and sophomore designated player Kristen Struett both went 2-for-3, with Struett adding a double and two RBI.
The Gamecocks posted three runs in the third, the first on junior centerfielder Ashlyn Masters’ RBI single to left, scoring Garcia. Struett followed with a double to right center, scoring Hathorn and Masters and chasing Bulls starter Tori Speckman (0-1). South Carolina added two more in the fourth, the first on Garcia’s triple, scoring junior pinch runner Brooke Barnhill, while Hathorn plated Garcia with her double.
South Carolina ended things without an out in the fifth. The Gamecocks loaded the bases thanks to a Bull error, an infield single and a fielder’s choice. Sophomore catcher Olivia Lawrence and freshman third baseman Lauren Masters, both making their first starts of 2013, drew bases-loaded walks, making it 7-0. Garcia followed with a ball that hit the wall in right, allowing redshirt senior pinch runner Kelley Dillon to score to end the game.
Speckman gave up three earned runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings of work, taking the loss. Ryleigh Fitzgerald had the only hit with two outs in the fifth, glancing off the glove of Howser before getting away for the hit.
South Carolina closes this trip to the Sunshine State at 11 a.m. EST, facing UT Arlington. Gametracker live stats and live audio will be available at GamecocksOnline.com.
