Feb. 8, 2004
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Gamecock softball team improved to 4-0 on the season as they defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels 3-1 for a doubleheader sweep. UNC fell to 0-2 as USC recorded three runs off of seven hits against the Tar Heels. Pitcher Aleca Johnson (2-0) picked up her second victory in as many chances as she pitched seven complete innings and gave up one run on five hits.
Nancy Crane was the only Gamecock to record a multi-hit game while Amber Curtis was the only USC player to record an extra base hit.
The Gamecocks scored first as Crane came home on an RBI single by Ashley Smith in the third inning. Megan Cornett picked up her first RBI of the season when she singled to drive home Curtis and put USC up 2-0. The Garnet and Black scored their final run of the game in the fourth when Melissa Sandel came home on an RBI single by Samantha Jennings. For the day, Jennings drove in four of USC’s six runs.
Johnson had a shutout until the seventh when Jessica Young hit a solo home run and put the Tar Heels on the board. Johnson gave up another hit but stayed in control and was able to record the three final outs to close out the game and keep the Gamecocks undefeated.
The junior pitcher recorded a season high seven strikeouts and recorded a strikeout in all but two innings. For the weekend, Johnson posted 13 strikeouts, five hits and allowed one run in 12 innings pitched.
South Carolina returns to action next weekend when they travel to Tallahassee, Fla. to play in the Sunshine Tournament, Feb. 13-15.
