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Gamecocks Fall to Northwestern, 6-4, in Garman Classic Opener
Softball  . 

Gamecocks Fall to Northwestern, 6-4, in Garman Classic Opener

March 3, 2017

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. – South Carolina (14-3) posted season bests in hits and doubles, but a four-error game on defense spoiled the squad’s Judi Garman Classic opener against Northwestern (5-10), as the Wildcats took a 6-4 win on Friday evening.

Northwestern claimed the 1-0 lead in the first on Kenzie Ellis’ RBI single, but three-straight doubles by freshman Mackenzie Boesel, junior Krystan White and senior Kaylea Snaer put South Carolina on top 2-1 before the frame ended. That South Carolina lead grew to 4-1 in the third when, after that doubles trio from the first loaded the bases, sophomore Kennedy Clark singled in one and senior Victoria Williams brought home another on a ground out.

The Wildcats started their comeback in the fourth, getting an unearned run after a throwing error, closing the gap to 4-2. Northwestern threatened to do more in the inning, but a line-out double play ended the frame. Ellis struck again in the fifth, however, posting a two-RBI double to tie the game at 4-4. An inning later, Marissa Panko doubled home Alcy Bush to give the Wildcats a 5-4 lead. Krista Williams made it 6-4 after an infield single.

The Gamecocks had a chance to tie the game in the seventh, as California natives Snaer and Clark posted one-out singles. The inning’s third single, however, didn’t produce a run, as it hit a Gamecock runner in the bases, forcing her out and ending the game.

Wildcat Morgan Newport (2-2) picked up the win in relief, tossing the final 6.2 innings and allowing two earned runs on 10 hits. Gamecock Nickie Blue (7-1) took the loss, giving up four runs, two earned, on six hits in 1.2 innings. She struck out three.

GAME CHANGER

The Gamecock defense had a tough day at Anderson Family Field 2, committing four errors on the night which led to three Wildcat runs.

KEY STAT

The Gamecocks had 13 hits in the game, the most this season, but left nine runners on base.

NOTABLES

Snaer went 3-for-4 with the double, leading the Gamecock offense.

Four other Gamecocks had doubles: Boesel, White and juniors Shannon Plese and Jordyn Augustus. The five Gamecock doubles is the most this season.

Boesel, Clark and Plese all had two hits in the contest, while both Boesel and White scored twice.

The Wildcats’ top-three batters in the order all had two hits: Sabrina Rabin, Williams and Ellis.

Up Next

The Gamecocks take on another Big Ten foe in Indiana to start Saturday’s action. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. EST against the Hoosiers.