March 14, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina softball returns to action Wednesday afternoon in a single game against Eastern Kentucky. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Beckham Field. The series can be followed live at uscsports.com via live stats and live audio webcast.

The Gamecocks (17-8) are hoping to snap a three-game losing streak while Colonels (10-9) have their last two games. EKU is 0-2 against SEC teams this season while this marks USC’s first Ohio Valley conference team to play this season. The series between the two teams is tied 1-1. The last meeting was 2002 when South Carolina hosted the NCAA Regionals. USC defeated EKU 2-1. The first meeting came in 1995 and the Colonels won 4-3.

The Gamecocks are 7-1 at home while EKU is still looking for their first road victory at a non-neutral site. USC is also looking for its first run scored in 12 innings.

Katie Rold and Alex Merrell lead EKU at the plate with .358 and .355 batting averages, respectively. Kelsey Anderson is the Colonels RBI leader with 17.

Ashton Payne leads the Gamecocks with a .316 batting average and 19 runs, while Christie Hamilton leads in RBI and also leads in wins with nine.

Wednesday is Youth Day and kids that wear their team softball jersey get in for $1 admission.