Gamecock Offense Hot in Season Opener, Beating Ohio 10-0 (5)

Game #1

Feb. 10, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina started the 2017 season off right, posting a 10-0 (5) win over Ohio (1-1) on Friday afternoon in the Carolina Classic at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.

Three Gamecocks posted two hits each, with junior Krystan White leading the way with her double, homer and four RBI on the day. Infielders Kamryn Watts and Mackenzie Boesel both had two hits, a run and an RBI as well.

Those runs were more than enough for senior hurler Jessica Elliott (1-0), as she posted a five-inning shutout, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out five.

The Gamecocks struck in the first on senior Victoria Williams’ sacrifice fly and sophomore Kennedy Clark’s RBI single. White started the scoring in the second on a double that one-hopped the centerfield wall. White scored when she and junior Jordyn Augustus executed a double steal, while Augustus, after taking third on a wild pitch, scored on Watts’ groundout. In the third, White followed a walk to junior Tiara Duffy with a line shot over the left-field wall, and Boesel made it 8-0 with her run-scoring single up the middle, plating Augustus.

Two more Gamecocks scored in the fourth, with Duffy bringing home with a bases-loaded walk and White knocking in her fourth run with a sacrifice fly.

Ohio starter Desirae Villanueva (0-1) took the loss, giving up four earned runs on four hits and a walk in two innings of work.

GAME CHANGER

The Gamecocks pulled away with a three-run effort in the third inning, highlighted by White’s home run. After two outs to start the inning, South Carolina had five straight batters reach base to push the lead to 8-0 over the Bobcats.

KEY STAT

Starting pitcher Jessica Elliott had an efficient start to her season, tossing 75 pitches over five innings of work

NOTABLES

The Gamecocks drew five walks to just two strikeouts against Ohio, led by junior Tiara Duffy’s three free passes. South Carolina’s hitters also were hit by a pitch on two occasions.

Kamryn Watts shined in the hot corner, corralling two liners and pitching in two assists from third base to spark the defense.

South Carolina’s lineup proved to be just as aggressive on the basepath as it was in the batter’s box. The Gamecocks were perfect in five steal attempts, and would score a run off of all five swipes.

Mackenzie Boesel had a perfect start to her career in the Garnet and Black, reaching base in all three trips to the plate. She had two hits, a walk, a run scored and a run batted in along with a steal.

The offense’s flow rubbed off on its reserves, as all three of South Carolina’s pinch hitters (Lauren Stewart, Taylor Williams and Shannon Plese) reached base successfully.

TWEET OF THE GAME