March 30, 2016
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – South Carolina (25-9) used a 10-run fourth to power past Charlotte (20-15) by a score of 13-2 in five innings on Wednesday afternoon at the D.L. Phillips Complex.
The Gamecocks took a 3-0 lead in the third on RBI singles by senior left fielder Alaynie Page and junior first baseman Kaylea Snaer, Page driving home senior catcher Jordan Bizzell and freshman second baseman Alexis Mack after the pair started the frame with a hit-by-pitch and a bunt single, respectively. Snaer plated Page to cap the scoring in the frame.
South Carolina’s offense erupted in the fourth for a 10 spot, started by junior third baseman Taylor Williams punishing the first pitch she saw in the frame out of the stadium for a two-run homer. In total, 16 batters came up in the frame, with both Williams and Bizzell scoring twice. Page drove in three in the frame, two with a triple and another with a bases-loaded walk. Snaer also drove in two with a double.
The 49ers scored twice in the fifth on a fielder’s choice and a bases loaded hit-by-pitch.
Gamecock junior Jessica Elliott (13-2) got all 15 outs in the circle, giving up two hits and two walks while striking out four, not giving up a run. Charlotte’s Lexi Betancourt (13-9) took the loss, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits and two walks in 3.1 innings.
Game Changer:
Williams’ blast sparked the big inning that sent South Carolina to the win.
Key Stat:
The last time the Gamecocks scored 10 in an inning was in the first game against Delaware State in the 2015 Pirate Classic, the opening weekend of the year.
Notables:
• Page tripled as part of her 2-for-3 day, scoring twice and driving in five runs.
• The triple ties Page for fifth all-time with three others, while the five RBI moved her into sixth alone, passing two other Gamecock All-Americans, Kim Pietro and Michelle Delloso.
• Williams went 1-for-2 with two runs and the two-run homer, which tied her for 20th in Gamecock history in that category.
• Snaer went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
• Bizzell was hit twice, doubled and scored three runs, while Mack scored twice in a 1-for-1 day.
• Bailey Rhoney had both of the 49ers’ hits, while Emma Ocker and Grace Beatty drove in the two runs.
Tweet of the Game:
T4 | Taylor Williams GONE! Two-run blast makes it 5-0 #Gamecocks at Charlotte.
— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) March 30, 2016
Up Next:
South Carolina comes home for its next three games, starting with a two-game series this weekend against Troy. Saturday’s series opener is set for a 3 p.m. EDT start at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field, with the game showing on SEC Network + on Watch ESPN.
