Oct. 14, 2014 COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina wrapped up the fall exhibition schedule with four wins in the Gamecock Fall Classic, downing Charleston Southern 4-2, Spartanburg Methodist 6-0, Chipola College 3-2 and Lander 5-1 in games at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
On Friday night, the Gamecocks beat Charleston Southern 4-2, with the deciding run scoring on an attempted double steal. With senior Kristen Struett at third with two down, freshman Krystan White, who reached first on a fielder’s choice, ran to second and got caught in the rundown, allowing Struett to score the third run of the contest after starting the frame with a single. Freshman Tiara Duffy added a sacrifice fly in the sixth as an insurance run.
Pitching dominated Saturday’s 6-0 win over Spartanburg Methodist. Freshman Hayley Copeland posted four strikeouts in three innings of work, while the other two Gamecock pitchers did not allow a baserunner in the victory. Redshirt sophomore Lauren Masters drove in two in a 2-for-2 day, while sophomore Macey Webb also had an RBI and reached twice in two plate appearances. Freshman Caroline Cash reached in all three trips to the plate, including a triple in her day.
Sunday’s first game proved to be a test for the Gamecocks, as it took 10 innings for South Carolina to get past Chipola College 3-2. Julie Sarratt and Olivia Lawrence had the early RBI, Sarratt on a hit in the second and Lawrence after a hit-by-pitch in the fifth. With the international tiebreaker in effect in the 10th, junior Ansley Ard moved the runner Struett to third with a bunt hit, and an error allowed the run to score to end the contest. Sophomore Nickie Blue only allowed two hits in the final six innings to help South Carolina win, picking up seven strikeouts.
A 5-1 win over Lander capped South Carolina’s fall season. Sarah Mooney and Victoria Williams had homers in the finale, with Williams going 2-for-3 in the contest.
The Gamecocks have another week of team drills before transitioning back to the eight-hour practice period for the remainder of the fall semester. The 2015 schedule will be announced soon. And fall clinics continue, with another three of them set for this Sunday, Oct. 19. Sign up at BevSmithSoftball.com.
