May 16, 2003

Tucson, Ariz. – Senior Jodi Fittro’s two-run home run in the fourth inning proved to be the winning difference for South Carolina as the Gamecocks defeated Cal State Northridge (27-23) 5-3 in an elimination game of the NCAA Championship regional at Tucson, Ariz. The Gamecocks (40-19) earn their 40th win of the year, marking the fifth straight year to record a 40-win season. Fittro went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBI’s to keep Carolina alive. Starter Melanie Henkes (18-5) went six innings as she gave up three runs on nine hits. Aleca Johnson played a critical role in the bottom of the seventh as she recorded her fourth save of the season.

With the mission of staying alive, Carolina took charge early as the Gamecocks took a 2-0 lead in the first when Debralee Troesh hit an RBI-double to score Nancy Crane and eventually scored on an error by Northridge right fielder Emilee Moores. The runs snapped a seven inning scoreless streak for the Gamecocks in the tournament.

Ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first, Northridge had a chance to score when Jan Moshier hit a single to centerfield to drive in Sondra Milchiker, but Fittro made an outstanding throw home to prevent the run from scoring.

Up 3-0 in the fourth, Fittro hit her sixth home run of the season, 38th for the Gamecocks, to add two more runs and give USC a 5-0 lead, it’s largest of the tournament.

Carolina had a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the fourth before the Matadors got on the board with a solo home run by Moshier to prevent the shutout. Northridge continued to stay in the game as they scored two runs in the fifth off of a home run by Christen Bedwell. The Matadors scored all three runs off of two home runs.

Also for Carolina, Amber Curtis went 2-for-4 while designated player Kristin Hall went 2-for-3. Troesh recorded USC’s only other RBI. The Gamecocks scored two runs on Northridge errors. Pitcher Kia Fennell took the loss for the Matadors and finished the season 17-12.

The win ended the season for Cal State Northridge and advanced Carolina to day three of the tournament. The Gamecocks will now face either Boston College or Minnesota on Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. (PT) in another elimination game.