April 19, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – No. 16 South Carolina (32-13, 16-8 SEC) evened the series 1-1 against No. 17 Alabama (37-16, 20-6 SEC) as they defeated the Crimson Tide 5-1 in game one of Saturday’s softball doubleheader. Jodi Fittro, Danielle Quinones and Debralee Troesh combined for six of Carolina’s 11 hits. Quinones went 2-for-4 with three RBI’s, while Troesh went 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Fittro went 2-for-4 and scored one run. Pitcher Melanie Henkes improved to 14-2 as she gave up one run on six hits. Erin Wright recorded the loss for the Tide as she fell to 8-7.

In the first inning, Danielle Quinones grounded out to the pitcher but an error by Tide first baseman Jackie McClain allowed Quinones to be safe at first and Debralee Troesh to score all the way from second, giving USC a 1-0 lead.

Alabama tied the game in the second when Lacy Prejean launched a solo shot to right field for her fifth of the season.

In the bottom of the third, Melissa Sandel singled with two outs to load the bases, but an error by Prejean allowed Ashley Smith to come home and put Carolina in the lead 2-1.

With two outs in the fourth, Carolina put their third run on the board when Troesh, who singled, scored for the second time of the game on a double by Quinones.

Carolina had the bases loaded in the sixth with two outs before Quinones struck again. The third baseman hit her second double of the day to drive in two runs and give USC a 5-1 lead.

Alabama attempted a rally in the seventh as Staci Ramsey led off with a single followed by Emily Currie’s pinch-hit single. With two runners on and no outs, Carolina brought in Aleca Johnson to relieve Henkes. Solid defensive plays by Carolina stranded the Tide for the final three outs while Johnson earned her third save of the season.