April 28, 2002
Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Alabama’s Angela Johnson hit a two-run home run and drove in three of Alabama’s four runs as South Carolina (36-16, 17-10) fell to the Crimson Tide 4-3 in the rubber game of the series. Alabama (43-14, 22-5) took the series 2-1.
Jodi Fittro was the only Gamecock to record multiple hits, as she went 2-for-4, including a bunt single in the second inning that drove in Samantha Jennings and gave USC a 1-0 lead. USC did not hold the lead for long as Johnson hit her two-out, two-run blast off the scoreboard, to put Alabama ahead 2-1.
Alabama added to its lead in the fourth when Johnson singled up the middle to score Ashley Courtney and put the Tide ahead 3-1.
In the fifth inning, South Carolina had runners at first and third, and senior Adrianna Baggetta singled to right field to drive in Kim Evans, but a mishandled ball by Alabama’s Capper Reed, allowed Debralee Troesh to score all the way from first, as the Gamecocks tied the game 3-3.
Alabama reclaimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning when Courtney was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded scoring Jackie Wilkins from third, giving Alabama a 4-3 lead and the eventual victory.
Megan Matthews earned a no-decision as she started the game and pitched two innings and gave up two runs on four hits. Stacey Johnson (10-8) recorded the loss for the Gamecocks as she pitched two innings, allowed two runs on three hits. Freshman Aleca Johnson closed out the game for USC as she pitched two innings and gave up one hit.
USC returns to action on Wed., May 1 when they host Coastal Carolina in a 5 p.m. doubleheader at Beckham Field. The Gamecocks will wrap up the regular season this weekend, May 4 and 5, when they host SEC opponent Ole Miss.
