March 9, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – A six-run fifth sent No. 21/20 Missouri (13-3, 3-0 SEC) to an 8-0 win in six innings over South Carolina (17-8, 0-3 SEC) in the initial SEC Network Monday night broadcast from Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
Amanda Sanchez led off the fifth with a solo homer to right, breaking up Gamecock sophomore Nickie Blue’s no-hit bid. Two infield errors came around a strikeout and a walk to load the bases, and the Tigers posted five more runs after that, two on walks, two on Sami Fagan’s single up the middle and the final on Angela Randazzo’s single to the hole at short.
The Tigers capped the scoring in the sixth on Kelsea Roth’s two-run homer.
Missouri’s Tori Finucane (5-3) pitched a two-hit shutout, walking one and striking out four in the six-inning win. Blue (8-4) took the loss, allowing six runs, one earned, on two hits and four walks. She struck out six in 4.1 innings. Redshirt senior Julie Sarratt collected the final five outs for South Carolina, giving up two earned runs on three hits and a walk while sitting down three on strikes.
Gamecock freshman designated player Tiara Duffy collected both of her team’s hits.
Game Changer:
The second Gamecock error of the fifth came on a grounder to third with runners at first and second, extending an inning that could have finished there despite the earlier miscue.
Key Stat:
Roth went 1-for-2 with the two-run homer, a walk and two runs scored.
Notables:
• Tiger centerfielder Taylor Gadbois drove in a run and scored another in an 0-for-2 night.
• Gamecock sophomore first baseman Kaylea Snaer picked up lone Gamecock walk.
Up Next:
South Carolina hosts Western Kentucky on Wednesday at 6 p.m. EDT at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, the 10th game of the 14-game home stand.
