March 29, 2005
Columbia, S.C. – Sophomore McKenna Hughes hit a three-RBI double in the third inning to give South Carolina the lead that led to a 4-1 win over North Carolina Tuesday afternoon. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Gamecocks as they improved to 21-14 for the season. The Tar Heels fell to 20-18. Melanie Henkes (10-4) picked up her tenth win of the season while Crystal Cox fell to 9-11. Aleca Johnson earned her fourth save on the season.
The Gamecocks managed four runs on five hits by Hughes, Ashley Smith, Jessica Josker, Becky Martinez and Kristin Hall. Henkes gave up one run on seven hits to the Tar Heels. Anna Evans and Jennifer Jacobs each posted three hits while Casey Testa recorded the only other hit for UNC.
UNC scored first in the top of the third when a two-base fielding error by South Carolina allowed Marissa May to score from second.
It was in the bottom half of the inning when the Gamecocks took the lead. Hall was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and Lisa Longo struck out but reached safely due to a wild pitch. Cornett then walked to load the bases and Hughes then came through with a double to right center field.
In the fifth, Smith led off with a single and USC added a run when Smith’s pinch runner Margaret Person scored on an RBI-single by Martinez. That would be all the Gamecocks would need for the 4-1 win.
USC brought in Johnson in the seventh to close out the game. Johnson struck out the first two batters then got the final out when Casey Testa flied out to center field to end the game.
Team 123 456 7 R H E UNC 001 000 0 1 7 0 USC 003 010 X 4 5 1
WP: Henkes (10-4)
LP: Cox (9-11)
S: Johnson (4)
