May 4, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Two first-inning runs did not stand up for South Carolina (30-22, 7-16 SEC), as No. 2/3 Florida (49-6, 18-5 SEC) got an eighth-inning homer to take the first game of the doubleheader 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
With two down, Gator freshman Kirsti Merritt hit a 1-1 pitch out to right center, her fourth homer of the year to put the Gators on top for good. The Gamecocks tried to answer, getting a two-out double from senior catcher Shelby Gonzales. But Gator reliever Hannah Rogers got one last strikeout, her third of the contest, to end the game.
In the first, the Gamecocks plated three runs after loading the bases with one down. A pitch hit freshman left fielder Alaynie Page, and singles from junior second baseman Dana Hathorn and sophomore centerfielder Kristen Struett followed. Junior designated player hit her team-leading fourth sacrifice fly of the year to plate Page, while junior right fielder Chelsea Hawkins smashed one back through the middle to score Hathorn to make it 2-0.
Florida answered with two in the fourth. Back-to-back doubles by Merritt and Stephanie Tofft landed just past the outstretched glove of the diving Struett, scoring the first Gator run. Lauren Haeger singled back through the middle to plate Tofft and tie the game at 2-2.
Rogers (28-4) tossed four shutout innings in relief, giving up four hits in the process. Gamecock redshirt sophomore Julie Sarratt (10-7) took the loss, allowing one earned run on two hits while fanning two.
Merritt went 2-for-3 for the Gators, scoring twice while adding a double and a homer, while Tofft had two doubles in a 2-for-4 day as well. Gamecock senior shortstop Samie Garcia went 2-for-4 with a double, while Struett went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt. Page got hit three times and scored a run, and Gonzales also went 2-for-4 with a double.
