May 18, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas – South Carolina (33-24) fell in five innings to fourth-seeded Texas (46-8) 11-2 to start Saturday’s action in the Austin Regional at Charlene & Red McCombs Field.
The Longhorns struck first with Taylor Hoagland’s leadoff homer in the first. Three more runs came across in the second, with Hoagland driving in two more with an RBI single. Brejae Washington tripled to left center, letting Hoagland score to make it 4-2. Texas tacked on three more in the third, getting RBI singles from Gabby Smith and Stephanie Ceo before Hoagland hit a sacrifice fly for her fourth RBI of the day.
The Gamecocks got two back in the bottom of the third on freshman left fielder Alaynie Page’s two-run homer to left center. Senior shortstop Samie Garcia scored as well after leading off the inning with a hit. But Texas scored two each in the next two innings, with Torie Schmidt getting an RBI groundout and Karina Scott’s single in the fourth and RBI base hits by Taylor Thom and Kim Bruins in the fifth.
Longhorn starter Blaire Luna (27-5) tossed a complete game in the win, giving up two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six. Gamecock redshirt sophomore Julie Sarratt (12-8) took the loss, allowing seven runs, six earned, on eight hits and two walks in 2.1 innings.
Hoagland went 2-for-2, scoring three times and driving in four while adding a homer. Bruins went 4-for-4, scoring and driving in a run, while Washington had a triple in a 2-for-3 day. Thom had a double, a run and an RBI in a 2-for-4 day. Scott also went 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI.
South Carolina’s Garcia reached twice, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. Page had the two-run homer, while junior second baseman Dana Hathorn had the other Gamecock hit. Junior right fielder Chelsea Hawkins had a double play to end the second, making a shoestring catch before throwing out Washington at the plate, with senior catcher Shelby Gonzales blocking her from scoring and going back to tag Washington before she went back to the plate.
The Gamecocks take on the winner of the Houston/Army game at 5 p.m. CDT. The game will be shown on ESPN3.
