May 6, 2006
Gainesville, Fla. – Kristen Butler drove in three runs on Saturday to pace the Florida Gators to a 5-2 victory over South Carolina in Gainesville. The loss dropped the Gamecocks to 28-28 overall and 8-19 in the SEC. The Gators improved to 39-22 on the season and 15-13 in conference play.
Florida’s Stacey Stevens claimed the win to improve to 18-6 on the season, while Carolina’s Christie Hamilton dropped to 15-15. Hamilton pitched a complete game for the Gamecocks striking out six batters.
Florida surged to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run homer to left field by Kristen Butler. The home run for Butler was her SEC-leading 17th on the season. Florida’s Lacy Howard singled to shortstop allowing Melissa Zick to extend the Gator lead to 3-0.
The Gamecocks answered back, scoring two runs in the top of the second. Jessica Josker’s single with two outs plated Lisa Longo and Jacqueline Wetherbee to shave the Florida lead to 3-2.
The Gators added to their lead in the second and third innings. Kristen Butler hit a sacrifice fly to give Florida a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the second. The RBI was her third of the day. Florida added another insurance run on a sacrifice fly in the third by Brooke Johnson to score teammate Melissa Zick and make the score 5-2.
Carolina and Florida both totaled seven hits in the game. Josker and Longo had two hits apiece, while Ashley Smith, Margaret Person, and Wetherbee had one apiece.
The Gamecocks and Gators will play on Sunday at 1 p.m. Carolina is battling Mississippi for the eighth and final spot in the SEC softball tournament. Ole Miss split its double header with Auburn today.
-USC-
