March 28, 2012
by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director
ROCK HILL, S.C. – South Carolina (20-16) posted 12 hits in a 12-2 win in five innings over Winthrop (11-21) at Terry Field on Wednesday night.
Gamecock freshman Kristen Struett had a memorable first start, going 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and four driven in while also adding a complete-game win in the circle, allowing two earned runs on four hits and five walks. She struck out one. Senior third baseman Evan Childs and sophomore right fielder Chelsea Hawkins both went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Six other Gamecocks had hits, with junior shortstop Samie Garcia, senior leftfielder Kaitlin Westfall and junior right fielder Hannah Milks all scoring twice.
The Gamecocks posted a season-best nine runs in the third, sending 13 batters to the plate in the frame. Childs started the barrage with a two-RBI double, scoring Garcia and senior centerfielder Lauren Lackey. Hawkins doubled in two more runs, driving home Westfall and sophomore second baseman Dana Hathorn. Struett plated Milks with a single up the middle, while Garcia drove in Hawkins with a single. Both Struett and senior pinch runner Kylie Morin scored on an error by the Winthrop second baseman. Hathorn ended the frame with her RBI single that brought home Garcia.
Struett wrapped up the Gamecock scoring in the third when she sent the 1-1 pitch over the wall in left-center for a three-run homer, her first blast as a Gamecock. That scored Westfall and Milks after Westfall singled to start the inning and Milks reached on an error.
The Eagles got a run in the second on Alex White’s RBI single, scoring Taylor Wright from second after she reached on a fielder’s choice. Wright struck again in the fifth, getting a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded, scoring McKenzi Corn on the play.
Winthrop starter Chelsey Schoenfeldt (5-12) got the loss for the Eagles, giving up three earned runs on six hits and a walk in 3.1 innings. She struck out two. Three other Eagle pitchers appeared in the third, with all giving up at least a run.
The Gamecocks come back home to face Longwood in a Saturday doubleheader slated to start at 1 p.m. at Beckham Field.
