April 30, 2003
CONWAY, S.C. – Danielle Quinones went two for three with a RBI, scored two runs for No. 18 South Carolina (37-16), including a two run home run in the fourth inning en route to an 8-0 mercy-rule victory in six innings over the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina (34-15). Carolina scored eight runs off of nine hits and committed three errors while holding Coastal Carolina to two hits. The Gamecocks now head to Plant City, Fla. on May 8-11 for the SEC Tournament.
Amber Curtis led off for USC in the top of the third with a double to left field. Jodi Fittro followed with a single to left, advancing to second on the throw as Curtis reached third. Debralee Troesh recorded the first out as she grounded out to second, bringing up Quinones, who loaded the bases after reaching first on a throwing error by Coastal pitcher Morgan Tolleson. Catcher Ashley Smith hit a single to left field, scoring Curtis. Tia Rogers kept the rally alive, doubling to left field, scoring Quinones and Fittro. Meghan Cornett drounded out to second, scoring Smith. Nancy Crane popped up to second to end the four run inning for Carolina.
In the top of the fourth, with two outs, Fittro smacked a double to left center to get the Gamecocks’ bats warmed up again. Troesh followed with a single, then advanced to second as the Coastal defense failed in trying to catch Fittro scoring the fifth run of the game for Carolina. The third baseman Quinones followed Troesh’s single with a home run to left field. Smith ended the scoring fest as she lined out to center to end the inning.
USC ended the game early in the sixth inning, scoring one more run and holding Coastal Carolina from scoring, invoking the eight-run mercy rule. Aleca Johnson (5-4) recorded the win for USC, pitching six innings and only giving up two hits. Striking out eight. Morgan Tolleson (8-4) was credited with the loss for the Chanticleers, giving up seven runs, five earned, and only striking out two.
