March 1, 2003

Plant City, Fla. – The 16th-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (11-5) extended its win streak to four games as USC defeated Western Michigan 5-1 and shut out Troy State 13-0 at the Strawberry Fest Tournament in Plant City, Fla. Carolina combined for 18 runs including three home runs, two by senior Debralee Troesh. Troesh went 3-for-5 against Troy State with three RBI. Senior Kim Evans hit her first homer of the season as she hit a solo shot against WMU.

Freshman Melanie Henkes recorded her first win since a Feb. 15 victory over then 23rd-ranked Oregon State as she pitched a complete game against WMU. Henkes, now 5-1, gave up one run on four hits and struck out eight.

Against Troy State, Jodi Fittro joined Troesh in the hit fest as Fittro also went 3-for-5 and had four RBI. Starter Stacey Johnson improved to 6-3 as she pitched four innings and gave up one hit. Sophomore Aleca Johnson made her first appearance since the game against UCLA. Johnson pitched three innings and also gave up only one hit.

In a revised tournament schedule, the Gamecocks return to action on Sunday and are scheduled to play Virginia Tech and Central Michigan at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.