March 9, 2005
Fayetteville, Ark. – A two-RBI double in the fifth by Ashley Smith put the Gamecocks in the lead to defeat the Arkansas Lady Razorbacks 5-3 and sweep the series 3-0. Melanie Henkes earned the win and is 8-3 while Aleca Johnson picked up her third save of the season. The Gamecocks recorded 11 hits while Henkes gave up three hits. USC is now 18-9 and 3-0 in SEC play while Arkansas falls to 10-14 and 0-3. Meghan Cornett went 3-for-4 while Smith went 2-for-2 with two RBIs.
Lisa Longo led off the second inning by reaching base safely on a two-base error by Ashley Carter. Becky Martinez drew a walk and Chrissy Schoonmaker singled to load the bases for Kristin Hall. With no outs, Hall then grounded out to third base and Longo was able to score and put the Gamecocks up 1-0.
In the bottom of the second, with two outs, Arkansas’ BJ Southmayd drew a walk just prior to Samantha Buckner hitting a home run to left centerfield. The homerun put the Lady `Backs in the lead 2-1.
In the fourth, Margaret Person represented the tying run and reached base with a short single to left centerfield. Person was able to score on a one-out single by Cornett and tied the game for USC. That would be all the Gamecocks would get in the fourth as the next two batters flied out to end the inning.
Shana Easley then came in at the bottom of the fourth and on a 1-0 count from Henkes, hit a solo home run to center field and put the Lady `Backs back in the lead 3-2.
The Gamecocks came alive in the fifth and score three runs to take the lead. Martinez and Schoonmaker hit back-to-back singles and with two outs, Smith doubled to drive in the two runs and gave USC a 4-3 lead. Smith then scored on a double by Josker, who recorded her first SEC hit and RBI and USC went up 5-3.
The Gamecocks return to action this weekend when they host No. 13 LSU Saturday and Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. (EST).
Team 123 456 7 R H E USC 010 130 0 5 11 3 ARK 020 100 0 3 3 3
WP: Henkes (8-3) LP: Lyons (6-8)
