March 17, 2010
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A late Gamecock rally fell short, as Arkansas (16-8, 1-0 SEC) got an 8-5 win in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Beckham Field.
Juniors Laura Mendes and P.J. Fulmer both went 2-for-4, with Fulmer driving in a pair of runs to Mendes’ one. Sophomore Evan Childs also drove in two runs for the Gamecocks, while Mendes and sophomore Lauren Lackey both scored twice. Arkansas’ Jessica Bachkora went 3-for-3 with a homer, two runs scored and three RBI.
Arkansas scored two in the first on a Sandra Smith RBI double and Samantha Brewer’s run-scoring single. Three more Razorback runs came across in the second on Bachkora’s three-run blast over the wall in left.
The Hogs threatened to blow it open in the fourth. With the bases loaded and no one out, pinch runner Brea Van de Pol scored on a Becca Carden fielder’s choice. After an intentional walk, the Gamecock starter Ashley Chastain (4-5) got out of the inning with a strikeout and a groundout to keep it at 6-0.
But Arkansas kept the hits coming, putting two on the board in the sixth on Courtney Breault’s sacrifice fly and Brittany Robison’s RBI single.
South Carolina (9-16, 0-6 SEC) answered in the sixth with two, as Childs, who made her first career start in the outfield, doubled home Lackey and Mendes. The Gamecocks threatened to extend the game, as the offense plated three runs in the frame. Pinch hitter Kandyce Redondo started the rally with an infield hit, and Lackey drew a two-out walk. Mendes hit a double to left to bring home Redondo, while Fulmer’s single allowed both Lackey and Mendes to score. But Arkansas starter Hope McLemore (9-3) ended the game with a strikeout.
McLemore allowed five runs, three earned, on eight hits and two walks in the complete game win. She struck out eight. Chastain allowed seven runs, five earned, on nine hits and four walks while striking out two in five innings.
