April 21, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the last time in 2009, the Gamecocks step out of SEC play, with Wednesday’s contest at Coastal Carolina marking the end of the non-conference schedule. The matchup is slated for a 6 p.m. start at the Coastal Carolina Softball Field.
Last Meeting Between Palmetto State Legends
Wednesday’s matchup between the Chanticleers and Gamecocks marks the final meeting in history between two legendary coaches in the state of South Carolina. Coastal head coach Jess Dannelly announced his retirement at the beginning of the season after 22 years at the helm in Conway. The 1974 South Carolina graduate has been the coach of the Chanticleers in all 48 meetings prior to Wednesday against the Gamecocks. South Carolina head coach Joyce Compton, in her 23rd season, has also coached every game in the series.
South Carolina Takes Down No. 4 Alabama
The Gamecocks bounced back in a big way on the week of Easter, wrapping up their action with a series win over fourth-ranked Alabama. A national semifinalist last year, the Crimson Tide fell at the hands of South Carolina, 3-2, in eight innings in game one, and in the final contest, 6-5. It was South Carolina’s first series win over the Tide since 2001, when the Gamecocks got a pair of one-run wins in the final regular season series of the year. It also was the Garnet and Black’s first series win over a top-five team since 2004 when South Carolina took a home mid-week set from Georgia, also winning the first and third game of the series. All-time against the top five in the country, South Carolina is now 14-37 (.275).
Nuggets From the Win Over Coastal Carolina
A lot of big things happened on April 7 for the Gamecocks, as they got a 10-2 win in six innings over in-state rival Coastal Carolina. It was the first game shortened by the Gamecocks via the mercy rule (eight-run lead after five) since topping Charlotte, 8-0, in six on March 1, 2007. The 10 runs are the most since South Carolina’s 11-0 win on Feb. 22, 2007 against the College of Charleston.
Individually, the Gamecocks put together three extra-base hits for the second-consecutive game. Sophomore Jill Semento hit her first home run on the year and compiled five RBI, the most for a Gamecock since McKenna Hughes did the same against Georgia on April 15, 2007.
Gamecocks All-Time vs. Coastal Carolina
South Carolina owns a 42-6 record all-time against Coastal. That includes a 15-4 record in Conway and a 6-2 win at the CCU Softball Field a year ago.
Scouting the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Coastal Carolina is 14-29 entering the week and 4-8 in the Big South Conference. The Chanticleers face UNC Wilmington on Tuesday. The earlier loss to the Gamecocks was part of a seven-game losing streak, but they have since bounced back to win three of their last four heading into Tuesday. Michelle Evans is the offensive leader, hitting .333 while tying for the team lead with three homers and 16 RBI. Stacy Snellings ranks second with a .300 average while tying for the team lead with seven doubles. Her .446 on-base percentage is tops among the Chanticleers.
The Gamecocks will likely see Ashley Frederick, who holds a 4.11 ERA and a 5-8 record. Ivy McCranie could get the start, with her 3-5 record and 3.25 ERA. Defensively, Coastal has made 56 errors.
