Feb. 14, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Home runs by senior catcher Sarah Mooney and junior right fielder Ansley Ard helped power South Carolina (7-2) to a 6-3 win over North Carolina (5-4) in the Gamecocks’ first game on Saturday at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
Mooney put the Gamecocks on top 2-0 with a one-out blast to left in the first, scoring senior centerfielder Kristen Struett after her one-out single. Ard made it a 3-0 lead with a towering shot that snuck over the wall in left.
South Carolina doubled the lead to 6-0 with a three-run third. With the bases loaded, freshman shortstop Krystan White plated one with an RBI groundout. Ard and junior left fielder Alaynie Page followed with RBI singles, with Page’s stretching her hitting streak to nine games.
The Tar Heels cut the lead in half on Tracy Chandless’ three-run homer in the fourth. But that was all they managed against Gamecock sophomore Nickie Blue (5-0), who picked up the win with the complete game effort. She gave up three unearned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five.
North Carolina’s Lauren Fuller (0-1) took the loss, giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.
Game Changer:
After one out, the next four Gamecock batters reached, including Mooney’s home run, to chase the Tar Heels’ starter Fuller.
Key Stat:
Ard went 3-for-3 with the home run, two runs scored and two RBI.
Notables:
• Junior third baseman Jordan Bizzell went 1-for-2 with a double, a run scored and two walks.
• Sophomore first baseman Kaylea Snaer also drew two walks.
• Mooney’s home run ties her with Kim Pietro (1996-99) and teammate Page for 11th in Gamecock history.
• North Carolina’s Taylor Wike went 2-for-4 in the contest, the only Tar Heel with multiple hits.
Tweet of the Game:
Cocky playing Cupid at @GamecockSoftbll today ! #Gamecocks @Cocky2001 pic.twitter.com/x4v0WUEfYg
— Gamecock Athletics (@GamecocksOnline) February 14, 2015
