May 2, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina lost the second game of the doubleheader to Kentucky, 5-1, on Saturday afternoon at Beckham Field.
Kentucky (31-19, 13-13 SEC) got a run in the first when Megan Yocke tripled past diving Gamecock centerfielder Kristen Stubblefield, allowing Molly Johnson to score from second after leading off the game with a single. The Wildcats added another in the third when Meagan Aull singled with two out, stole second and scored when the ball kicked off her foot and into left center. Destinee Mordecai made it 3-0 in the fifth when she doubled home Annie Rowlands, who reached on a fielder’s choice.
The Wildcats tacked on two more in the sixth. Aull got a base hit, moved to second on the sacrifice bunt, took third when she saw no one covering and scored when the ball got away from the South Carolina catcher, who sprinted to third and tried to tag Aull at third. Brittany Cervantes followed with a double to close out Ashley Chastain’s appearance. After a short delay due to rain and a fly out, designated player Rachel Riley singled home Cervantes to cap Kentucky’s scoring.
South Carolina (20-24, 5-21 SEC) posted its lone run of the contest in the sixth when sophomore Jill Semento turned on the first pitch of the at bat and hit a towering homer to left, her third of the season.
Kentucky freshman Chanda Bell (18-8) went the distance, giving up just three hits and one earned run while striking out four. Gamecock freshman Kierstyn White (9-4) got tagged with the loss, giving up the earned run in the first on two hits.
The Gamecocks and Wildcats wrap up the three-game set on Sunday at 1 p.m. Senior Day festivities begin before the first pitch at Beckham Field.
