Feb. 13, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina softball returns to action Wednesday for a Valentine’s Day treat when they host Western Carolina in the home opener for the 2007 season. First-pitch for the single game contest is set for 4 p.m. at Beckham Field. The Gamecocks are 5-0 while the Catamounts are 0-4. This marks the first meeting between the two teams. In home openers, South Carolina is 18-2 under Joyce Compton.

Led by senior McKenna Hughes, South Carolina hopes to extend its winning streak to six games, the most for the Gamecocks since 2004. Hughes was named MVP of the FAU Miken Invitational where she went 9-for-18 to hit .500, including three doubles and two home runs. The two home runs gave her 24 for her career and she is now tied with Joyce McMillin for the all-time record at South Carolina.

At the plate, Ashton Payne also recorded nine hits to hit .450, while freshman Lindsay Walker had three RBI and five hits, including her first career home run. Walker drove in the game-winning run against Miami-Ohio to advance the Gamecocks to the championship game.

In the circle, all three pitchers posted wins at the tournament and combined for a 0.74 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched. Junior Melissa Hendon went 1-0 with a save and junior Kate Pouliot went 3-0 in 12 innings pitched. In 11 innings pitched, freshman Krystle Robinson picked up her first career win as she led the Gamecocks to a 3-1 victory over FAU in the championship game. Hendon also contributed at the plate for the Garnet and Black. She hit .389 with seven hits, including two doubles.

The game can be followed live via internet audio broadcast and through Gametracker on uscsports.com.