March 14, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The 14th-ranked South Carolina softball team (18-6, 2-1) returns to SEC play this weekend as they host the 8th-ranked LSU Tigers (19-6, 2-1) Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s doubleheader will start at 1 p.m. while Sunday’s wrap-up game is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday’s game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Net with Cheri Kempf providing color commentary and Justin Cazana doing play-by-play. All three games will broadcast live over the internet at www.uscsports.com.

Carolina has won its last 11 of 12 games while LSU has posted five shutout wins in their last nine victories. Carolina will attempt to end a five-game losing streak to the defending SEC Champs, as the last time USC defeated LSU was March 24, 2001 in Columbia. Since the inception of SEC softball in 1997, LSU leads the series against USC 11-6. In Columbia, the Tigers lead 5-2.

In the SEC standings, Carolina is third in the Eastern division while LSU is second in the West. LSU comes to town with this week’s SEC pitcher of the week, Kristin Schmidt. Schmidt went 2-1 over the weekend with a 0.88 ERA. As a team, USC has a higher hitting average (.275) then LSU (.261), but LSU’s team ERA is 0.98 while Carolina’s is 2.07. Junior shortstop Amber Curtis currently leads the SEC in conference game s only with a .571 hitting average .

For the fans, Saturday is “Youth Team Day”. All softball teams in their team jerseys will get in for $1. Autographs will also be available following the second game. Sunday is “Scout Day”. All boy and girls scouts get free admission.