Feb. 14, 2016
TAMPA, Fla. – Senior All-American Alaynie Page hit a two-run home run, and Gamecock junior pitchers Nickie Blue and Jessica Elliott combined for a two-hit shutout of Illinois State (1-4) in a 3-0 win to close out South Carolina’s time in the USF Wilson Demarini Tournament.
The Gamecocks (3-1), after leaving the bases loaded twice in the first two innings, broke through when Page knocked a shot over the 210 sign in right center at the USF Softball Stadium for her first homer of the season. It ranks as Page’s 25th career round-tripper and gives her second outright in South Carolina history, nudging past Joyce McMillin.
South Carolina added insurance in the sixth when freshman Kenzi Maguire’s two-out single went off the glove of the Redbird pitcher, scoring freshman pinch runner Alexis Mack.
Blue (1-1) picked up the win with a five-inning appearance, allowing only two hits, both to Redbird catcher Jordan de los Reyes. Blue struck out seven and walked only one. Elliott collected her first Gamecock save with two shutout innings of relief, allowing two walks. Ali Domkuski (0-1) took the loss, giving up three runs, two earned, on eight hits and two walks. She fanned four.
Game Changer:
Page’s blast, her first hit of the year, was all the Gamecocks needed.
Key Stat:
South Carolina pitching had three 1-2-3 innings and three others with only one base runner reaching.
Notables:
• Senior second baseman Lauren Masters went 2-for-3 at the plate.
• Seven other Gamecock starters had hits, with junior Victoria Williams adding a double.
Tweet of the Game:
B4: Page BLASTS one to the opposite field after Watts’ single. #Gamecocks up 2-0!
— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) February 14, 2016
Up Next:
The Gamecocks take on North Carolina on Wednesday at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. EST, and it will be broadcast on SEC Network + on Watch ESPN.
