Feb. 16, 2007
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – South Carolina improved to 7-0 as the Gamecocks defeated the Kansas Jayhawks (2-3-1) 3-1 at the FSU Sunshine Tournament Friday afternoon. Jacqueline Wetherbee hit a one-out, bases loaded, RBI-single to drive home McKenna Hughes in the sixth inning. Kate Pouliot (5-0) earned the victory for South Carolina, while Jessica Josker went 2-for-2 with an RBI at the plate.
Melissa Hendon started the game for the Gamecocks and pitched five innings before Pouliot entered in the sixth. Hendon allowed one run on four hits and struck out 10 to record her second 10-plus strikeout game of the season. The Gamecocks recorded three runs on seven hits off of Valerie George and Kassie Humphreys. George (0-2) took the loss for the Jayhawks as she gave up two runs on five hits and struck out five batters.
South Carolina took the 1-0 lead in the fourth when Josker hit an RBI-single to score Lindsay Walker, who singled to left center, to reach base safely.
Kansas led off the sixth inning with three straight hits, including a double by Sara Ramirez. Elle Pottorf then singled with runners in scoring position and drove home Ramirez to tie the game 1-1.
The Gamecocks answered in the bottom of the sixth after two walks and a single loaded the bases to set the scene for Wetherbee. On a 2-2 count, Wetherbee then hit a single to left field for the lead. The Garnet and Black added a cushion run when pinch runner Cagney Davis scored from third on a wild pitch.
Kansas continued to threaten in the top of the seventh as the Jayhawks tried to capitalize on two Gamecocks errors. With two outs and two runners on, Ashton Payne threw wide to first base and pulled Wetherbee off the bag to allow KU to load the bases. The rally was stopped short when Pottorf hit a grounder towards third and Becky Martinez made the play at third to get the final out and preserve the Gamecocks’ victory.
Hughes was unable to get hit and went 0-2 at the plate, snapping her hitting streak at six games. Payne’s hit stretched her streak to seven games.
South Carolina 3, Kansas 1 (Feb 16, 2007 at Tallahassee, Fla.)
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Kansas………….. 000 001 0 – 1 4 0 (2-3-1)
South Carolina…… 000 102 X – 3 7 3 (7-0)
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Pitchers: Kansas – George, Valerie; Humphreys, Kassie(6). South Carolina – Melissa Hendon;Kate Pouliot(6).
Win-Kate Pouliot(5-0) Loss-George, Valerie(0-2) T-1:48 A-0
Hendon, M. faced 3 batters in the 6th.
George faced 1 batter in the 6th.
