Feb. 9, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – The No. 20 South Carolina softball team claimed their first tournament title of the season as they went 3-1 in the Carolina Invitational. In day two action, the Gamecocks (5-1) fell to Boston College 3-2 but shut out UNC-Greensboro 3-0 in the championship game. Sophomore Meghan Cornett went 5-for-7 for the day, while pitcher Melanie Henkes (3-0) recorded her third straight shutout. The Gamecocks recorded a season high 11 hits in the game against UNC-Greensboro (2-2).
In their first game of the day, Carolina faced Boston College (1-3). Aleca Johnson (0-1) made her first start of the season for the Gamecocks. In the fourth inning, Johnson struck out three batters but not before allowing three runs on three hits. The Eagles led off with a double by Jennifer Asbury then two batters later, Lisa Fischer homered to left center field to give BC a 2-0 lead. Two more batters later, BC hit another home run, a solo shot by Kara Blumfield, and had a 3-0 lead. BC’s Tekae Melandris (1-1) picked up the first win of the season for the Eagles.
The Gamecocks rallied in the bottom of the seventh but it was too little too late. With one out, USC loaded the bases before catcher Ashley Smith grounded out to first base and drove in Amber Curtis to prevent the shut out. With two outs and runners at second and third, Cornett walked to load the bases again. Designated player Tia Rogers then reached on a fielder’s choice and scored Jodi Fittro, bringing the Gamecocks within one. The rally ended on a ground out by Danielle Quinones and USC recorded its first loss of the season. Cornett went 3-for-3 plus a walk for the game.
Despite the loss, USC still advanced to the championship game and jumped ahead early on UNC-Greensboro. Smith doubled to right field and drove in Curtis to give Carolina a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The Gamecocks added another run in the second when Fittro singled and scored Samantha Jennings. Carolina picked up its third and final run of the game in the sixth when Smith drew a walk with the bases loaded. Henkes pitched her third straight complete game, gave up just three hits and posted a season high seven strikeouts. The Spartans Melissa Johnson fell to 0-2 on the season.
The Gamecocks travel to Las Vegas next week for the Las Vegas Invitational. Carolina will face No. 1 UCLA, UNLV, No. 23 Oregon State, No. 10 Cal State Fullerton and No. 4 Nebraska at the tournament.
