Feb. 8, 2008
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Senior second baseman Lisa Longo hit a bases-loaded double to propel South Carolina to a 3-1 victory over North Florida in the lid-lifter for both squads on Friday afternoon in the Florida Atlantic Kick-Off Classic.
The Gamecocks got all the offense they needed in the third. After a leadoff ground out, junior Ashton Payne drew a walk to start the rally. Seniors Becky Martinez and Jessica Josker followed with a pair of bases on balls after both stretched the count to 3-2. Longo stepped in and laced a double down the left field line to clear the bases, putting Carolina on top for good.
That came after the Ospreys took an early 1-0 lead without a hit. Redshirt freshman Krystle Robinson, pitching her first game since an elbow injury ended her season a year ago, walked leadoff hitter Ashley Parenteau in the first inning. She promptly stole second and moved to third on a Kacie McCloud groundout. A Robinson wild pitch brought home Parenteau to give North Florida the early 1-0 lead. Robinson would settle down from there, pitching three innings while giving up one hit and the one earned run while striking out three.
Senior Kate Pouliot (1-0) relieved Robinson and pitched well for her first three innings, but she got into trouble trying to close out the game in the seventh. A single by Kara Rutenbar was followed by a throwing error that allowed Rutenbar to take second. A Parenteau single loaded the bases and ended Pouliot’s game. In came senior Melissa Hendon, who got a force out at home before striking out the top UNF hitter, Gwen Williams, to get two down. Sophomore shortstop Lindsay Walker fielded the Heather Hyde grounder and stepped on second to force off McCloud and end the game.
South Carolina opened the 2008 season with a victory, which marks the eighth straight season that the Gamecocks have done that.
