April 11, 2012
by Koby Padgett
Assistant Media Relations Director
ATHENS, Ga. – Despite a two-double, two-RBI performance from Gamecock sophomore rightfielder Chelsea Hawkins, South Carolina (23-20, 3-13 SEC) dropped game two of Wednesday’s doubleheader at No. 11/11 Georgia (33-8, 11-6 SEC) 8-3 at Jack Turner Stadium.
In the first, Kristyn Sandberg tripled on a high fly to center that hit off the wall, scoring Ashley Razey from first. Tess Sito followed with a single to score Sandberg and give Georgia the 2-0 lead.
The Gamecocks tied it in the fourth thanks to the first of Hawkins’ doubles. Senior Kaitlin Westfall drew a one-out walk, and senior Evan Childs posted a two-out single ahead of Hawkins, who dumped the first pitch of her at bat in shallow right center, allowing both runners to score.
But Georgia came back with two in the bottom of the inning, with all the damage coming with two outs. Paige Wilson beat out a single fielded near the second-base bag, and Ashley Pauly followed with a double off the wall in right to plate Wilson. Razey made it 4-2 with a hit to center to score Pauly.
The score held there until the sixth, when the Bulldogs added four runs, all coming on homers. Wilson put one off the camera over the center-field wall, while Pauly sent one over the right-field wall on consecutive pitches to start the inning. Razey drew a five-pitch walk, setting up Sandberg’s shot out to center, handing Georgia the 8-2 lead.
South Carolina got a run back in the seventh when the Bulldog second baseman bobbled the potential game-ending throw at first, allowing Hawkins to score after she started the inning with a double. But a strikeout ended the game one batter later.
Bulldog starter Morgan Montemayor (9-4) gained the victory, giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits and a walk while fanning eight. Gamecock freshman Katelynn Howser (8-6) took the loss, allowing eight earned runs on 12 hits and five walks. She struck out two.
Four Bulldogs had two hits in the game, including Wilson, Pauly, Sandberg and Sito. Wilson, Pauly and Sandberg all scored twice, while Sandberg led the team with three RBI. Hawkins was the only Gamecock with multiple hits.
The Gamecocks conclude the road swing at No. 2/2 Alabama this weekend, with the series opener set for 7:30 p.m. EDT on Friday at Rhoads Stadium.
