April 6, 2008
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sophomore Lindsay Walker’s bases-loaded triple in the fifth put the Gamecocks on top as they downed Auburn, 3-2, in the second game on Sunday at Beckham Field. The doubleheader sweep stretches South Carolina’s winning streak to six games and moves their record to 19-15 overall and 7-7 in Southeastern Conference play. Auburn falls to 31-11, 9-7 in league outings.
Walker went 2-for-3 with a triple and three runs batted in to lead Carolina. Laura Mendes went 1-for-3 to extend her hitting streak to six games, the top active streak on the squad after junior Ashton Payne saw her string snapped with an 0-for-3 outing.
The Gamecocks loaded the bases in the fifth with three consecutive singles by Cagney Davis, Cassie Gogreve and Adele Voigt. After Payne struck out against Auburn hurler Anna Thompson (10-7), Walker lined the 0-2 pitch down the left field line. Brittany Scott attempted to make the diving catch, but the ball got past her into the corner, allowing Walker to reach third and sending home all three runners. After a pop out, freshman Jill Semento drew a two-out walk, putting runners at first and third for senior Becky Martinez. Thompson buckled down and got Martinez to chase a pitch to get out of the frame.
Auburn had taken the 2-0 lead in the top half of the fifth. After Gamecock starter Krystle Robinson walked the first two batters of the inning, head coach Joyce Compton called upon senior Kate Pouliot (4-2) to get out of the jam. She got a groundout to force off the lead runner and struck out Cassie Trosclair before Scott, the Tigers’ leadoff hitter, drew a walk to load the bases. Taryn Gray stepped up and put the 1-2 pitch into left, scoring Starr Dorsey and Megan Mitchell. Pouliot came back to get Tatiana Fernandez to wiff, ending the inning.
Pouliot got the win in relief, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two in one inning of work. Senior Melissa Hendon picked up her team-leading fourth save, sitting down four in two innings. Thompson got the loss, allowing three earned runs on six hits and two walks while fanning 11.
South Carolina steps out of conference to take on in-state foe Coastal Carolina at 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday in Conway, S.C.
