Snaer's Walk-off HR Sends SC to 5-4 Win (8) over College of Charleston
Feb. 25, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Gamecocks (11-2) picked up their third-straight one-run victory thanks to senior Kaylea Snaer’s walk-off home run, downing College of Charleston (7-3) by a 5-4 score in eight innings in Saturday’s nightcap in the Gamecock Invitational.
Snaer worked herself into a 3-2 count to start the eighth against College of Charleston reliever Brittany Violette (2-1) before driving the sixth pitch of the at-bat over the left-field wall for her third home run of the year. That blast ties her for third in South Carolina history with 24 career round-trippers, joining Joyce McMillin (1998-2001) in that spot.
The Gamecocks fought back from a 3-0 deficit, as the Cougars posted three runs on a bases-loaded walk to Sara Garcia and a two-run error on Katie Padilla’s grounder in the first. South Carolina looked to have a chance to tie or more in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with no one out. Sophomore Lex Hull, who entered after an injury took junior catcher Alyssa VanDerveer out of the game in the top half, drew a walk to bring in one run. A groundout should have still left the bases loaded, but a Gamecock runner strayed too far off the base and was called out, shortening the inning’s rally.
In the third, two-out singles by Snaer and Victoria Williams set up sophomore Kennedy Clark’s double off the center-field wall, allowing both seniors to score to tie the game at 3-3. The Cougars took the lead again in the fourth on Yari Felix’s single, scoring Dana Horgan after her leadoff double.
South Carolina used a double steal to tie the game again in the fifth. Pinch runner Lauren Stewart took second and the ball got away from the Cougars covering the bag, which allowed junior Krystan White to scamper home and knot the game at 4-4.
Gamecock senior Jessica Elliott (4-1) picked up the win in relief, tossing four scoreless innings, giving up one hit and one walk while striking out five. Violette took the loss for the Cougars, giving up the one earned run in two-plus innings of work.
GAME CHANGER
Elliott’s entry shut down the Cougars’ offense, as she struck out the side in the fifth.
KEY STAT
The Gamecock offense drew seven walks against the Cougars’ four pitchers and did not strike out during the game.
NOTABLES
Snaer went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and the home run.
Felix led the Cougars with a 2-for-4 day, driving in one run.
Three Gamecocks stole bases: White, Stewart and junior Jordyn Augustus.
TWEET OF THE GAME
Kaylea Snaer. See-Ya!
GAMECOCKS WALK OFF!@GamecockSoftbll wins 5-4. https://t.co/oxzUQcZjd4 pic.twitter.com/HMqgBpHe8E
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 26, 2017
Quoting Head coach Beverly Smith
It was a great team win. We had to overcome some adversity, giving up a bunch of runs and losing a player to injury in the first inning, but we responded and fought our way back. We had zero strikeouts on the game and we hit the ball hard. Kennedy Clark came up big with the two-out RBI early in the game to tie it, and Kaylea Snaer walked it off for us in the bottom of the eighth, which was very exciting.
On Cayla Drotar’s bouncing back
I was proud of Cayla. She’s a freshman getting some experience and innings. She had a rough first inning, but I liked her response. We talk about how we’re going to handle adversity, and she came back and pitched a nice three innings after the start. She’s an outstanding pitcher.
On Jessica Elliott’s outing
She showed what experience looks like. She had command of her pitches and shut down a very good College of Charleston offense.
Up Next
South Carolina finishes the Gamecock Invitational on Sunday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. EST against the College of Charleston. The game will be shown on SEC Network + on Watch ESPN.
