March 30, 2003

Auburn, Ala. – 13th-ranked South Carolina (24-8, 8-3 SEC) defeated Auburn (19-20, 7-8 SEC) 4-0 Sunday to take two of three games in their SEC weekend series. Freshman catcher Ashley Smith blasted a two-run homer to pace the Gamecocks’ seven-hit attack while pitcher Stacey Johnson (11-4) earned a complete game shutout on the mound, giving up only five hits and striking out three Tiger batters.

The Gamecocks jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Shortstop Amber Curtis lead off the game with a double and advanced to third on a sacrifice by Jodi Fittro. Curtis scored on Debralee Troesh’s groundout. In the second inning, Meghan Cornett lead off with a single and would score on Smith’s homerun over the centerfield wall to give USC a 3-0 lead. The Gamecocks added another run in the third inning. Curtis singled and advanced to second on a Fittro sacrifice. Two batters later, third baseman Danielle Quinones drove in Curtis on a single to left centerfield to make it 4-0 USC.

USC returns to Beckham Field on Tuesday to host an SEC doubleheader against Tennessee. First pitch set for 5 p.m.