April 27, 2013
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. – Behind the second-straight shutout performance of the week from redshirt senior Audrey Broyles, South Carolina (29-20, 6-14 SEC) claimed a 3-0 win over Mississippi State (31-18, 7-13 SEC) on Saturday at the MSU Softball Field.
Broyles (9-8) limited the Bulldogs to three hits and a walk while facing only two batters over the minimum. She struck out three and started one of the two double plays that helped her cause in the first, catching the popped-up bunt by Bulldog catcher Sam Lenahan on a bunt-and-run play and throwing to first to get the runner Jessica Offutt, who reached on a walk, to end the inning. The second also ended on a double play, as senior shortstop Samie Garcia caught a liner from Briana Bell and quickly threw to first to double off Heidi Shape, who had the first hit for the Bulldogs.
A three-run fifth proved to be all the support Broyles needed. Sophomore centerfielder Kristen Struett singled to start the inning, setting up junior designated player Ashlyn Masters’ two-run homer. After getting a 3-1 count, Masters took a strike and fouled off the next pitch before driving one over the wall in left center for her second homer of the year.
The Gamecocks added an unearned run later in the inning. With one out, senior catcher Shelby Gonzales lifted a fly ball into shallow center that the Bulldog shortstop caught but dropped after the centerfielder crashed into her, jarring the ball loose. After a fly out to center, Garcia stepped up and doubled to the opposite field, plating junior pinch runner Brooke Barnhill to make it a 3-0 South Carolina lead.
Alison Owen (15-9) allowed seven hits and three runs, two earned, in the complete-game loss. She struck out eight. Logan Foulks and Loryn Nichols also had singles for the Bulldogs.
Garcia and Struett both had two hits with a double on the day for the Gamecocks, with Struett scoring once and Garcia driving in one. Masters had the two-run homer and reached on an error as well. Gonzales reached twice with a bunt single in the seventh and on the fifth-inning error.
South Carolina goes for the sweep on Sunday against Mississippi State, with first pitch set for 1 p.m. CDT.
