April 14, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina softball (34-12-15-6 SEC) recorded their third SEC sweep of the season as they defeated the Kentucky Wildcats (19-23, 3-12 SEC) 2-0 in game three of the series. A two-run fifth was all the Gamecocks needed as Megan Matthews combined with Aleca Johnson for the third straight USC shutout.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth when Cornett led off the inning with a solo blast to give USC a 1-0 lead. The shot was her second of the series, third of her career. USC’s final run came in the same inning after Jodi Fittro hit a single to center field to drive in Adrianna Baggetta, who singled to reach base. The two runs would suffice as Matthews continued kept Kentucky at bay and they stranded 10 runners on base. Johnson entered the game in the seventh to earn her fifth save of the season.

In her quest for the USC all-time strikeout record, Matthews pitched six innings, gave up six hits and struck out five. The Greer, S.C. native is now three strikeouts away from setting, two from tying, the all-time record of 1,032, which is held by Trinity Johnson. Matthews improved to 18-5 overall, 8-3 in the SEC, while Kentucky’s Jennifer Howland fell to 6-7, 1-5 in the SEC.

For the Kentucky series, Cornett, who batted .667 and went 6-for-9, including two home runs, led the Gamecocks offensively. She also scored three runs and had three RBIs. Danielle Quinones was right behind her as she hit .571 by going 4-for-7, including a triple, and drove in four runs. Carolina outscored the Wildcats 11-0 in the series.

The Gamecocks return to action next weekend as they travel to Gainesville, Fla. for a three-game series with the Florida Gators. The games are scheduled to start at noon.