Feb. 24, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Ashton Payne hit a two-out, two-RBI triple to give the South Carolina Gamecocks the push it needed to defeat East Tennessee State 4-1 Saturday afternoon at the Gamecock Invitational. USC improved to 11-2 with the win, while ETSU fell to 3-5. Kate Pouliot (8-0) picked up her second win of the day as she pitched 4.2 innings, gave up one hit and recorded five strikeouts.
The Gamecocks were down 1-0 after ETSU took the lead in the third when Trisha Massenzo scored on an error by Tori Martin. South Carolina continued to press the Buccaneers and broke through in the top of the fifth. The Gamecocks scored four runs in the inning to provide all of the runs they would need for the win.
Lindsay Walker led off the fifth with a single to third base and advanced to second on a sacrifice hit by Jacqueline Wetherbee. Walker eventually scored on a two-out, RBI-double by Becky Martinez and tied the game 1-1. The Gamecocks were not finished just yet. Martin kept the inning by drawing a walk and with runners at second and first, Payne then dove a triple to centerfield, scoring Martinez and Martin for the go-ahead runs. Adele Voigt continued with an RBI-single to drive home Payne and the Gamecocks had a 4-1 lead.
In the seventh, ETSU tried to attempt a rally as Stephanie Gaynord singled to reach base safely, but the rally was halted as Katy Jett lined into a double play and ended the inning and the game.
Walker and Voight had two hits apiece, while Payne, Wetherbee, Lisa Longo and Martinez, accounted for the other hits. The Gamecocks mustered their four runs and eight hits off of Mary Catherine Vercoe, who fell to 1-3.
Krystle Robinson started the game for the Garnet and Black. She was replaced after she gave up one run on six hits in 2.1 innings pitched.
South Carolina, who is 2-0 at the tournament, will face the Radford Highlanders at 11 a.m. Sunday morning. Radford is also 2-0 and the tournament after defeating Jacksonville State 5-1 and ETSU 2-1 on Saturday. Championship play is scheduled for 3 p.m.
South Carolina 4, ETSU 1 (Feb 24, 2007 at Columbia, S.C.)
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South Carolina…… 000 040 0 – 4 8 3 (12-2)
ETSU……………. 001 000 0 – 1 6 2 (3-5)
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Pitchers: South Carolina – Krystle Robinson; Kate Pouliot(3). ETSU – VERCOE, Mary Catherine.
Win-Kate Pouliot(8-0) Loss-VERCOE, Mary Catherine(1-3) T-1:31
