Feb. 15, 2003

Las Vegas, Nev. – South Carolina softball survived a seventh inning scare as they held off No. 23 Oregon State (9-3) 4-3 at the Las Vegas Invitational. The 20th-ranked Gamecocks held a shut out until Oregon State’s Steph Adams hit a two out three-run homer in the seventh inning. Junior Stacey Johnson recorded her first save of the year as the Gamecocks improved to 7-2 for the season, while Melanie Henkes (4-1) earned the victory.

The Gamecocks capitalized early on mistakes by Oregon State as Carolina scored two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. In the third, Amber Curtis hit a two-out RBI single to drive in Samantha Jennings for a 3-0 Carolina lead.

Ashley Smith got the only extra base hit for the Gamecocks as she doubled to left field in the sixth inning. Melissa Sandel, who pinch ran for Smith, eventually scored on a single by Tia Rogers to give Carolina a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the seventh, Johnson came in to relieve Henkes with runners at first and third and no outs. Johnson retired the first two batters she faced and on a 3-2 pitch, OSU’s Adams hit a three-run homer to bring the Beavers within one. The rally would end there as Johnson forced Shannon Sorg to ground out and end the game with USC winning 4-3.

Now 2-1 at the tournament, USC will face No. 10 Cal State Fullerton tonight at 7 p.m. The Gamecocks will wrap up play at the Las Vegas Invitational on Sunday morning when they face No. 4 Nebraska at 9 a.m.