May 17, 2003
Tucson, Ariz. – For the second time in four games, South Carolina softball used the seventh inning to come from behind and win in dramatic fashion. Down 2-1 going into the top of the seventh, the Gamecocks (41-19) posted a four-run inning to defeat the Boston College Golden Eagles (35-22) 5-2 at the NCAA Championships regional in Tucson, Ariz. Senior Debralee Troesh was not ready to end her season as she recorded her only hit of the game, a bases loaded two-RBI single, to score Meghan Cornett (2-for-3) and Kim Evans (3-for-3) for the tying and winning runs.
USC pitcher Melanie Henkes entered the game in the fifth to earn her second victory of the tournament and improved to 19-5 for the season. Henkes pitched three innings and gave up one run on three hits. BC’s Tekae Malandris recorded the loss for the Golden Eagles and fell to 13-10.
For the third time in four games, Carolina allowed the opposing team to score in the first inning as the Golden Eagles scored off of USC starter Stacey Johnson. Jacqui Goodchild led off the game with a single and eventually scored on an RBI single by Cara Blumfield.
After having the first six batters retired in a row, the Gamecocks broke up Malandris’ no-hitter with four straight hits and a run in the third. Fittro drove home Kristin Hall, who singled to reach base, with a single to tie the game 1-1 for USC.
Carolina had a chance to take the lead in the fifth as Kim Evans hit a two-out triple down the right field line but Fittro grounded out to third for the final out of the inning, stranding Evans and the game still tied.
In the bottom half of the fifth, Henkes entered the game for Carolina and with two outs, gave up a double to BC’s Lisa Fischer for the go ahead run. An error by Evans allowed Fischer to take third and with Erin Mackey at the plate, BC took a 2-1 lead when Fischer scored on Mackey’s single up the middle.
The Gamecocks attempted a two-out rally in the sixth as Danielle Quinones singled and Amber Curtis drew a walk to keep the inning alive and provide USC baserunners. With runners at first and second, catcher Ashley Smith then flied out deep to centerfield and ended the inning for Carolina.
With one more chance in the seventh, Carolina executed on their rally as Cornett led off the inning with a sharp single up the middle. A sacrifice groundout by Hall advanced Cornett to second and a single by Evans, her third of the day, gave the Gamecocks runners at first and second for go ahead runs. Carolina loaded the bases when Fittro drew a walk with still just one out. Tia Rogers then came in to pinch hit for USC but struck out for the second out of the inning. With just one out away from ending the season, the wheels fell off for BC. Troesh made her at-bat count as she singled to drive home Cornett and Evans, giving USC a 3-2 lead. It appeared to be all that Carolina would need but on the same play, throwing errors by BC’s Mackey and Field allowed Fittro and Troesh to score, clearing the bases and giving USC a 5-2 lead.
With the three-run lead, Henkes retired BC in order for the first time in the game, to end the season for the Eagles. BC recorded two runs on 10 hits off of the Gamecocks. One of the run and three of the hits were off of Henkes.
The Gamecocks continue to stay alive and will play another elimination game today at 4:30 (PT). Carolina will face the loser of the Arizona vs. Texas A&M game. A rematch could be in effect if USC meets the Aggies. The Gamecocks lost to A&M on Friday, which placed USC in the loser’s bracket.
