Oct. 14, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina’s softball team posted five wins during a fall tournament at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, picking up three run-rule wins in the process.
Friday night’s lone game against North Carolina went to the wire, with South Carolina getting a bases-loaded game-ending single from junior Sarah Mooney to take the contest 8-7. Mooney drove in two of the Gamecocks’ runs and stood as one of three South Carolina players with three hits, as senior Ashlyn Masters and freshman Kaylea Snaer joined her with those honors. The Gamecocks posted three two-run innings to dispatch the Tar Heels 6-2 on Saturday. Both Masters and Mooney had homers and two hits, while Snaer and sophomore left fielder Alaynie Page joining the trotting duo with two hits as well.
In each of the final three games, South Carolina shortened with a powerful offense, beating Spartanburg Methodist 16-1 (5) on Saturday afternoon before closing the weekend with an 8-0 (6) over Lander and a 13-5 (5) triumph over Presbyterian.
The Gamecocks broke out the offense for the event, hitting .420 with 10 doubles and seven homers on the weekend. Both driving in six runs, Masters had three homers, while Snaer added three doubles and a team-best .692 batting average. Mooney and Page both hit .500, with Mooney having two long balls and Page two doubles. In the circle, junior Lakyn Shull impressed, giving up one unearned run in nine innings of work, striking out six while walking only one in two wins.
South Carolina has one game left against outside competition this fall, coming on Oct. 26 against Anderson. The 2 p.m. game will be played at Wren High School, the alma mater of Gamecock senior right fielder Chelsea Hawkins.
Gamecock Fall Invitational Results
South Carolina only
Fri., Oct. 11 – South Carolina 8, North Carolina 7
Sat., Oct. 12 – South Carolina 6, North Carolina 2
Sat., Oct. 12 – South Carolina 16, Spartanburg Methodist 1 (5)
Sun., Oct. 13 – South Carolina 8, Lander 0 (6)
Sun., Oct. 13 – South Carolina 13, Presbyterian 5 (5)
