Feb. 21, 2014
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Behind a stellar performance from redshirt junior Julie Sarratt, South Carolina (8-2) defeated Boston University (0-1) 2-0 in the final game on Friday of the 2014 Gamecock Invitational at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
Sarratt (2-1) struck out 10 Terriers in five innings of work, giving up only one hit while not walking anyone. Freshman Nickie Blue collected her first career save with two scoreless innings of relief, fanning two while walking one and giving up two hits.
The Gamecocks used a BU error to get on the board in the fourth. Senior second baseman Dana Hathorn drew a two-out walk, and junior centerfielder Kristen Struett reached on an error to keep the inning alive. South Carolina head coach Beverly Smith used freshman Victoria Williams to pinch hit, and she delivered a flare to left that landed in the grass, scoring Hathorn from second and giving SC the lead. Senior shortstop Codee Yeske added an insurance run in the fifth, tripling to center and scoring on a Terrier error.
The Gamecocks’ three hits came from the bottom of the order, as Williams, senior right fielder Chelsea Hawkins and Yeske all reached safely with hits. Boston’s three hits came from Moriah Connolly, Mandy Fernandez and Brittany Clendenny. The Terriers’ Melanie Russell took the loss, giving up two unearned runs on three hits and a walk in six innings. She struck out four.s
Rain pushed back the start of the Gamecock Invitational, which forced South Carolina to reschedule its outing against Gardner-Webb to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. In Friday’s earlier games, Gardner-Webb used a two-run eighth to beat Georgetown 2-1 (8), while Michigan State downed UNC Wilmington 5-2.
The Seahawks and Hoyas start Saturday’s action at 10 a.m., with Boston and Michigan State following at 12:30 p.m. With the weather moving back the Gardner-Webb game for South Carolina a day, the Gamecocks face Michigan State and the Runnin’ Bulldogs at 3 and 5:30 p.m., respectively, on Saturday. GWU and BU close the day at 8 p.m. Live video is available for both of South Carolina’s contests, while Gametracker will be set for all five games.
