March 1, 2008
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| Box Score |
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Junior first baseman Jacqueline Wetherbee’s RBI single in the eighth gave South Carolina a 2-1 victory over Bucknell on day one of the Carolina Classic at Beckham Field. The win evened up the Gamecocks’ record at 8-8, while Bucknell fell to 2-5.
Wetherbee stepped to the plate with runners on second and third with two down after freshman catcher P.J. Fulmer’s sacrifice bunt and a ground out. The Acworth, Ga., native lined the first pitch she saw from relief pitcher Heather Haskins into the gap in left center, plating pinch-runner Chrissy Schoonmaker to give the Gamecocks the triumph. Schoonmaker came on for freshman third baseman Jill Semento, who led off the inning with a single. Jessica Josker followed with a single to left before Fulmer’s sacrifice and Wetherbee’s heroics.
The Gamecocks got the early 1-0 lead in the first when sophomore left fielder Cagney Davis drove in junior second baseman Ashton Payne with a single to center on an 0-2 count from Bison starter Katie McDonald. Payne led off the game with a double to center, extending her hitting streak to 11 games.
Bucknell tied it up in the seventh on Mary Pavlovich’s two-out single to right off Carolina senior starter Kate Pouliot, which brought home pinch runner Kristin Frick. She came on for designated player Erin Curatola, who led off the frame with a walk, and advanced to second on a wild pitch during Pavlovich’s at bat. Redshirt freshman Krystle Robinson came on and got Jessie Snyder to ground out to end the inning.
Pouliot pitched brilliantly before allowing the run, carrying a perfect game into the sixth. She ended up giving up two hits, one earned run, walking two and striking out five in 6.2 innings pitched. Robinson (4-3) got the win, striking out one and walking another in 1.1 innings of work. Bison starter Katie McDonald (0-3) got the loss, giving up two earned runs on six hits and four walks while getting one strikeout.
