March 16, 2016
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (21-5) rolled to a 10-2 (5) victory over Buffalo (4-19) in the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
The top four in the Gamecock lineup did most of the damage, combining to go 8-for-11 with six runs scored and seven driven in. The quartet of freshman Alexis Mack, senior Alaynie Page, freshman Kennedy Clark and junior Kaylea Snaer all had two hits, with Clark’s four RBI topping the group. Snaer collected the only extra-base hit of the game with her 12th double of the year.
Buffalo scored its two runs in the first on RBI singles by Danielle Lallos and Leandra Jew. The Gamecocks got one back in the bottom half of the frame on Snaer’s double to center, scoring Page after she singled, stole second and took third on a grounder.
Four Gamecock runs crossed the plate in the second, with senior Ansley Ard tying the game with a bunt single, scoring junior Taylor Williams from third. Page hit a sacrifice fly to drive home freshman Lex Hull, while Clark brought home a pair with her single to right.
The lead reached 10-2 in the fourth. An error started the frame, and the Gamecocks followed with four straight hits to bring home three, two on Clark’s second hit. A ground out scored Clark, while Snaer capped the scoring by coming home on a wild pitch.
Gamecock junior Jessica Elliott (12-1) went the distance for the victory, giving up two earned runs on five hits and six walks. She struck out five. Buffalo starter Brieanna Baker (1-5) took the loss, allowing five earned runs on seven hits in 1.2 innings.
Game Changer:
Ard’s bunt that brought home Williams tied the game, starting the ball rolling for the Gamecock offense.
Key Stat:
South Carolina hit .500 (7-for-14) with runners in scoring position.
Notables:
• Page and Mack both scored twice and stole a base in their two-hit nights.
• Clark’s four RBI is a new career high.
• Ard also scored twice in a 1-for-2 night.
• Snaer drove in two in a 2-for-4 showing.
• Williams and Hull also had hits for South Carolina.
• Savanna Norco went 2-for-3 with a run scored for Buffalo, who left 10 runners on base.
Tweet of the Game:
Clark drives in two! @GamecockSoftbll Up 7-2 with no outs! pic.twitter.com/JdwQZWZj77
— sarah jaynes (@sejaynes) March 17, 2016
Quotable:
Head coach Beverly Smith
Our team did a good job getting on base, and we were finally able to string some hits together in the sixth. Ard came up with the big hit, but we did all of that with two outs. I was really proud of the team’s intent with two outs and how focused they were. That really gave us some momentum to take into game two.
The top of the order was very productive for us (in game two). Alexis Mack has done a good job for us, getting on base and being that table setter. We had multiple stolen bases in the game. We really had people step up with runners in scoring position tonight.
Up Next:
The Gamecocks host No. 12/12 Georgia for a three-game series starting on Saturday at 3 p.m. on the SEC Network + on Watch ESPN. Sunday and Monday’s games begin at 7 p.m. EDT, with the SEC Network broadcasting the contests.
