March 3, 2002

PLANT CITY, Fla. – The Carolina softball team ends the four game Plant City Strawberry Fest Tournament with a win over Mid-America opponent Central Michigan (6-5). Megan Matthews (7-2) pitched a two-hit shutout and struck out 8 batters to give the Lady Gamecocks (13-6) the margin that they needed to pull out a victory.

In a game that saw little offensive action, Carolina rallied late to score two runs in the seventh inning to give them a 2-0 win over the Central Michigan Chippewas. To begin the scoring drive, left fielder Adrianna Baggetta led off in the seventh with a double to center field. Then third baseman Samantha Jennings drove her home with a triple to left field. After Danielle Qinones popped up to the shortstop, Fittro batted Jennings in with a sacrifice fly to left field. After Tia Rogers got the final out for Carolina, Mathews retook the mound and retired the final three Chippewa batters to end the game. With the win USC improves to 10-4 all-time against Central Michigan.

The game ends the Pant City Tournament for the Gamecocks, who finished second place in the tournament after beating their final four opponents, Ohio, Missouri, Michigan State, and Central Michigan. The game also ends Tournament play for the Gamecocks until the SEC Tournament. Carolina’s next game will be a doubleheader scheduled for 3:00 at home against UNC-Greensboro.