March 6, 2002
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The 24th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (15-6) swept UNC-Greensboro (13-5-1) 6-0 and 9-1 today at Beckham Field. Freshman Tia Rogers hit a three-run homer to end game two in five innings and in game one, Megan Matthews (8-2) pitched her third straight shutout for the second time this season. The two wins against Greensboro extended USC’s win streak to six games, their longest of the season.
“The key was to jump out early and get runs quickly. We needed to put the pressure on them,” said head coach Joyce Compton. “Megan (Matthews) threw well and she threw some good pitches. Melissa (Sandel) has been pretty consistent for the last few weeks and I am really pleased with her performances. In game two they kept us guessing but I think we adjusted well and Stacey (Johnson) came out and stayed focus as we came from behind offensively.”
USC took advantage of Greensboro’s errors in game one as the Gamecocks took an early lead in the first and scored four runs off of three errors and two hits. Melissa Sandel led Carolina as she went 2-for-3, including a triple, scored a run and recorded two RBIs. Matthews recorded her sixth shutout of the season as she held the Spartans to just two hits, both by center fielder Kim Benningfield.
In game two of the doubleheader, UNCG scored first when Christine Sweeney hit a two-out double to score Penny Thompson, who reached base on a walk. The lead only held up one inning as Carolina moved ahead when Debralee Troesh recorded the first Gamecock hit in the game, a two-RBI triple, to score Aleca Johnson and Jodi Fittro. Up 2-1 in the third, Sandel stole second which also allowed Troesh to run in from third to put the Gamecocks ahead 3-1.
In the fifth, UNCG walked three straight batters to load the bases with two outs before the Gamecocks struck again. Megan Cornett hit a two RBI single to give USC a 6-1 lead. Rogers followed to the plate and during her count with two runners still on, the Spartans brought in relief pitcher Maureen Flynn. On a 3-1 count, Rogers hit her first career home run clear over the left wall to drive in three runs, giving USC a 9-1 victory in five innings. Pitcher Stacy Johnson improved to 4-2 and gave up one run on three hits.
Carolina returns to action this weekend when they host Arkansas to open SEC play. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. and the third game of the series will be Sunday at 1 p.m.
