April 19, 2011
by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (23-22) dropped a 4-2 decision to North Carolina State (22-20) on Tuesday afternoon at Beckham Field.
Junior leftfielder Kaitlin Westfall went 2-for-2 with a RBI, reaching base all three times up. Sophomore shortstop Samie Garcia went 2-for-3 with a triple. Toni Ann Williford and Bridget Desbois both had two hits and an RBI for the Wolfpack.
NC State took the initial lead in the third when a Gamecock throwing error allowed Williford to score after junior third baseman Evan Childs cut down the lead runner at the plate with the bases loaded and one down.
But the Gamecocks came back to take the advantage in the bottom of the fourth, getting RBI singles from Westfall and senior designated player Laura Mendes, scoring sophomore rightfielder Hannah Milks and junior pinch runner Kylie Morin after Milks’ leadoff bunt single and junior first baseman Molly Brossart’s one-out walk.
The Wolfpack tied it at 2-2 in the fifth when Desbois singled home Landon Warren with two outs. They took the final advantage in the sixth on RBI singles by Williford and Alyssa Allbritten. Junior centerfielder Lauren Lackey stopped NC State from scoring more in the sixth, ending the inning with her throw to the plate to nab Williford.
Kayla Cox (11-12) went the distance for the Wolfpack, allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits and three walks while striking out six. Gamecock senior April Borchardt (6-4) took the loss in relief, giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk in one inning.
South Carolina hosts Charlotte on Wednesday at 6 p.m. EDT. The game stands as South Carolina’s StrikeOut Cancer event, with the first 250 fans receiving a StrikeOut Cancer rally towel.
