Feb. 11, 2007
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Senior catcher McKenna Hughes was named MVP of the FAU Miken Invtiational as the South Carolina Gamecock softball team defeated the FAU Owls 3-1 Sunday to win the tournament. Freshman pitcher Krystle Robinson picked up her first victory and Melissa Hendon earned her first career save. USC improved to 5-0 on the season, while FAU fell to 3-2.
Hughes went 9-for-18 and hit .500 at the tournament including three doubles and two home runs. The two home runs tied her for South Carolina’s all-time career leader. She also scored four runs and had seven RBI on the weekend. Hendon had a solid outing as she went 7-for-18 to hit .389 with two doubles and an RBI. In the circle, Hendon went 1-0 with one save. In 15 innings pitched and three appearances, she recorded a 0.47 ERA and 22 strikeouts.
The Gamecocks were down 1-0 in the bottom of the third when Tori Martin led off the inning with a single to reach base safely. Ashton Payne then followed with another single, advancing Martin, but then an error by centerfielder Jenna Lopez allowed Martin to score from second and Payne to reach third. On the next pitch, Musillo threw a wild pitch which allowed Payne to score and give USC the 2-1 lead.
Robinson would hold the Owls hitless for two more innings before Hendon was brought in for relief. Hendon would allow only one hit in two innings en route to South Carolina’s victory.
The Gamecocks tacked on an additional run in the fifth when Martin, who doubled to lead off the inning, capitalized on an FAU mistake, and scored on a wild pitch to extend USC’s lead to 3-1.
FAU scored its lone run in the second inning on a two-out RBI single by Hailey Broyles who drove in Becky Brandies.
Musillo (1-1) took the loss for the Owls as she gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings pitched.
For the tournament, South Carolina hit .320 with 47 hits, 20 runs, eight doubles, one triple and three home runs. In the circle, USC posted a 0.47 ERA in 38 innings pitched and recorded 47 strikeouts.
The Gamecocks will play their first game at home on Wednesday, Feb. 14 when they host Western Carolina for a single game at 4 p.m.
South Carolina 3, FAU 1 (Feb 11, 2007 at Boca Raton, Fla)
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FAU…………….. 010 000 0 – 1 4 2 (3-2)
South Carolina…… 002 010 X – 3 8 1 (5-0)
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Pitchers: FAU – Jen Musillo. South Carolina – Krystle Robinson; Melissa Hendon(6).
Win-Krystle Robinson(1-0) Save-Melissa Hendon(1) Loss-Jen Musillo(1-1)
T-1:36 A-218
