March 21, 2010
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A bad weekend turned even worse on Sunday, as No. 8/5 Alabama (22-7, 6-2 SEC) ran over the Gamecocks (9-19, 0-10 SEC), 21-1, in five innings at the Alabama Softball Stadium.
Three runs crossed in the first, as Kayla Braud scored on an illegal pitch. Alex Blewitt plated the second run via sacrifice fly, while Jazlyn Lunceford singled home the third with two down.
Then Alabama pushed 14 runs across the plate in the second, getting home runs from Braud, Jackey Branham and Courtney Conley. Braud had the big blast with a grand slam, as 18 Tide batters came to the plate in the inning.
Catherine Dozier had a solo shot to make it 18-0 after three, while Lunceford added a two-run shot before Olivia Gibson followed with a solo blast to cap the Alabama scoring at 21-0.
Sophomore Lauren Lackey went 3-for-3 with an RBI, which coming in the fifth when she singled in freshman Hannah Milks, while junior Laura Mendes added a double for the Gamecocks.
Lauren Sewell (7-0) got the victory, allowing one earned run in three innings, fanning four while giving up three hits. Sophomore Kelsey Goodwin (0-10) took the loss, giving up seven earned runs on five hits and three walks.
The 21 Alabama runs tied their program record, while it’s the most given up by South Carolina in history. The six home runs also tops the previous high allowed in a game by the Gamecocks.
The Gamecocks return to the field on Wednesday at Coastal Carolina, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. in Conway, S.C.
