Feb. 26, 2005
Columbus, Ga. – Freshman Lisa Longo went 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI to push South Carolina over Massachusetts 6-1 in round one of the Silver Medal bracket of the Leadoff Classic Saturday. Melanie Henkes pitched a no-hitter into the sixth and improved to 6-2 while Aleca Johnson picked up her second save of the season. The Gamecocks now play Oregon at 11 am Sunday. Carolina improves to 11-7 and the Minutewomen fall to 1-4.
The Gamecocks posted six runs on 10 hits and gave up one run on two hits to UMass. Barb LaFogg (1-2) took the loss as she pitched six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits.
In the third, Meghan Cornett led off with a single and then on a double by Hughes, Cornett came charging home but was thrown out at the plate for the first out of the inning. Hughes advanced to third on the throw and eventually came home on a single by Lisa Longo to put USC up 2-0.
UMass got their first base runner in the bottom of the third when Whitney Wierzbicki dropped a fly ball in right field that allowed Kristi Stefanoni to advance to second. Henkes was able to force a ground out by the next batter and the Gamecocks got out of the inning unscathed. UMass’ second baserunner also came at the hands of another Gamecock error in the fourth, but again, USC was able to climb out of the inning safely.
USC added another run in the sixth as Becky Martinez hit a one out single and advanced to second on a wild pitch to give the Gamecocks a runner in scoring position. Stefanie Norman then came in to pinch hit and slammed a double to left field and scored Martinez with the Garnet and Black up 3-0.
Henkes’ no-hitter was broken up in the sixth inning as the Minutewomen hit back-to-back singles to lead off. Stefanoni looped a single to centerfield for the first hit of the game by UMass and Morin followed with a line drive down the third base side. After the two hits, USC brought in Aleca Johnson to relieve Henkes. Johnson got the first out as Molinari hit a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Puglia grounded out to short for the second out of the inning but Stefanoni was still able to score and the Minutewomen cut the USC lead to two. The Gamecocks got out of the inning without any more runs scoring as KJ Kelley flied out to left field for the final out.
In the top of the seventh, the Gamecocks got two runners on in scoring position with no outs before Longo hit a double to right field and drove in Josker and Cornett to put Carolina up 5-1. USC scored its third run of the inning when Longo scored from second on an RBI single by Martinez and extended its lead to five.
In the bottom half of the inning, Johnson walked a batter with one out and an error in the outfield provided UMass another base runner. UMass would not be able to capitalize on the opportunity as Sulick flied out and Johnson struck out Stefanoni to record the final two outs and end the game.
Team 123 456 7 R H E
USC 011 001 3 6 10 3
UMass 000 001 0 1 2 1
WP: Johnson (1-0)
LP: Sallinger (8-2)
S: Johnson (2)
