March 26, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. – After a 10-day break, the South Carolina Gamecock softball team (17-5, 6-3) returns to action this weekend when they host the Auburn Tigers (23-4, 5-1). A Saturday doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. (EST), while Sunday’s final match-up will also begin at 1 p.m. (EST). Saturday is “Youth Softball Day”. All young fans that wear their softball jersey get free admission. The Gamecock softball team will also be available for autographs after the second game.

The Tigers currently lead the SEC with a .833 win percentage. AU is 8-1 in road games and has recorded a three-game sweep over Arkansas and went 2-1 against Ole Miss. USC is coming off of a three-game sweep over Arkansas and is currently third in the SEC East. This will the first ranked team of the season that Auburn has faced.

For the series, USC leads 16-3 and last year, the Gamecocks went 2-1 in Auburn. In Columbia, Auburn has never won a game and is 0-7. The Gamecocks will strive to keep their season home win streak in tact as they hope to expand on the current 7-0 run.

USC’s Nancy Crane was named SEC Player of the Week on Monday and she will help lead the Gamecocks in the series. Sara Dean, who is hitting .420, and Kristin Keyes, who ranks first in the conference with a 0.29 ERA, lead the Tigers. South Carolina’s Stacey Johnson is second in the SEC behind Keyes, with a 0.39 ERA.

Sunday is “Can the Tigers” day. All Gamecock fans that bring a canned food donation for the Harvest Hope Center get in for $1 admission. All games will be broadcast live via the Internet at www.uscsports.com.