March 3, 2007
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina scored eight runs in the sixth inning to defeat the Charlotte 49ers 8-0 in a run-rule decision Saturday. The win extended the Gamecocks’ streak to eight games, the longest of the season and the longest since 2004. South Carolina improved to 16-2 overall while Charlotte suffered its second loss of the season and fell to 14-2.
McKenna Hughes hit a leadoff single to spark the inning in which the Gamecocks batted through the lineup. Hughes went 2-for-4 in the game as both hits came in the sixth inning. Melissa Hendon recorded her fourth consecutive win in as many starts as she improved to 5-1. Hendon gave up two hits and struck out eight as she posted her third shutout of the season.
Kristen Bowen took the loss for Charlotte as she gave up seven hits and three walks in 5.1 innings pitched. Bowen fell to 5-2 on the season.
Becky Martinez went 2-for-3 at the plate and drove in two runs, while Caitlin Marsh, Lindsay Walker and Tori Martin accounted for the other Gamecock hits.
Martinez recorded the first hit of the day for the Gamecocks as she broke up the no-hitter for Bowen to lead off the bottom half of the third inning. In that inning, South Carolina had a chance to score as they loaded the bases no outs but the Gamecocks were unable to execute as Charlotte made two plays at home plate and USC grounded out to end the inning and stranded the runners.
South Carolina loaded the bases again in the sixth and used it to their advantage. Jacqueline Wetherbee put the ball into play but an error by Cee Brooks allowed the first run to score and the bases remained loaded. Martinez then doubled down the left field line to score two and put USC up 3-0. With runners at second and third, Martin then singled to drive in Wetherbee, Gamecocks up 4-0. Martin stole second and Marsh drew a walk to load the bases for pinch hitter Lisa Longo. Longo drew a walk to score Martinez and USC was up 5-0. Hughes then came back to the plate and doubled to score Marsh and Martin and put the Gamecocks up 7-0. With still only one out in the inning, Josker reached on an error by the third baseman and Adele Voigt scored the eighth run and ended the game in a run-rule decision.
The eight runs was the most the Gamecocks have scored in an inning this season. The previous high was six and that was against College of Charleston on Feb. 22.
South Carolina 8, Charlotte 0 (Mar 03, 2007 at Columbia, S.C.) (Game 1)
———————————————————————-
Charlotte……….. 000 000 – 0 2 3 (14-2)
South Carolina…… 000 008 – 8 7 0 (16-2)
———————————————————————-
Pitchers: Charlotte – Kristen Bowen. South Carolina – Melissa Hendon.
Win-Melissa Hendon(5-1) Loss-Kristen Bowen(5-2) T-1:30 A-0
