Feb. 24, 2013
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – A three-hit shutout from redshirt senior Audrey Broyles and a pair of three-RBI days at the plate for juniors Dana Hathorn and Chelsea Hawkins leads South Carolina (7-3) to a 9-0 win in five innings over Radford on Sunday afternoon in the College of Charleston Cougar Classic.
Hawkins had a homer in her 2-for-3 day, while Hathorn added a double, the two extra-base hits for the Gamecocks. Senior shortstop Samie Garcia went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Freshman left fielder Alaynie Page went 2-for-4, while sophomore designated player Kristen Struett scored twice.
The Gamecocks scored in the first on Hathorn’s RBI double, driving in Garcia from third after she singled and stole second before moving to third on Page’s groundout. The lead grew to 4-0 in the third thanks to Hawkins’ RBI single and an errant throw from the Highlander shortstop that hit junior centerfielder Ashlyn Masters in the helmet as she tried to score, letting both Masters and Hathorn score on the play.
Radford had its best chance in the fourth, getting a leadoff triple from Morgan Eye. But Broyles got a grounder right back to her that she deflected toward Hathorn at second, who threw out the runner at first. Then Broyles got both of her strikeouts to escape the inning without any damage.
South Carolina closed things in the fifth with five runs. Hawkins hit a two-run homer with no one out, and the Gamecocks loaded the bases via a single and two walks. Page got an RBI single, while Hathorn followed with a two-RBI single.
Broyles (3-1) allowed only three hits and one walk in the shutout win. Jackie Jenkins (0-2) took the loss, giving up four runs, two earned, on four hits and a walk. She fanned one.
