March 8, 2005
Fayetteville, Ark. – Sophomore McKenna Hughes hit a two-run home run to lead South Carolina (16-9, 1-0) to a 6-1 win over Arkansas (10-12, 0-1) in game one of a Tuesday doubleheader. Hughes hit her team leading sixth home run of the season in the first inning and put the Gamecocks up 2-0 early on. Meghan Cornett went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Melanie Henkes improved to 7-3 with the win while Valanna Lyons fell to 6-7.
Arkansas managed to score in the second inning and cut the Gamecock lead in half, 2-1, as Ashley Carter led off with a single and eventually scored on a groundout by B.J. Southmayd.
USC extended it one run lead back to two in the fourth when Stefanie Norman led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Becky Martinez to put the Gamecocks up 3-1.
Martinez led the scoring charge in the seventh as she led off the inning with a double and scored on an RBI single by Ashley Smith, who pinch hit for Whitney Wierzbicki. Wierzbicki re-entered the game to run the bases before Jessica Josker reached base due to catcher’s obstruction. With the obstruction, Josker reached base safely in 13 consecutive games. Wierzbicki and Josker eventually scored on a one out double by Cornett and gave the Gamecocks a 6-1 lead.
The Gamecocks are now 7-2 in SEC openers and 3-0 against the Lady `Backs in those openers.
Team 123 456 7 R H E
USC 200 100 3 6 8 0
ARK 010 000 0 1 4 2
WP: Henkes (7-3)
LP: Lyons (6-7)
