Gamecocks Fall in Finale at No. 14/13 Tennessee, 7-4
March 12, 2017
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A sixth-inning home run from Megan Geer led No. 14/13 Tennessee (21-3, 2-1 SEC) to a 7-4 victory over South Carolina (18-7, 1-2 SEC) on Sunday afternoon at Lee Stadium.
The Volunteers posted the winning runs in the sixth thanks to one swing by Geer. After walks to Jenna Holcomb and Meghan Gregg, Geer fought in a seven-pitch at-bat and sent one off the protective netting in front of the scoreboard for a three-run homer, handing Tennessee the lead again.
Tennessee got out to the 3-0 lead thanks to Brooke Vines’ two-RBI double and a pair of wild pitches that let Vines come around to score. The lead grew to 4-0 in the second when C.J. McClain scored after Aubrey Leach got into a rundown after her infield single.
The Gamecocks cut the lead in half in the fifth thanks to an RBI groundout by sophomore Kennedy Clark and a run-scoring single by junior Krystan White. Those at-bats scored senior Kaylea Snaer after she doubled to start the frame and freshman Mackenzie Boesel after her infield single.
South Carolina tied the game in the sixth when Snaer, after singles by senior Taylor Williams and junior pinch hitter Shannon Plese, doubled on the 15th pitch of the at-bat, scoring Williams from second. After Boesel walked, Clark flew out to center, and junior Kamryn Watts slid under the tag to score the tying run and make it 4-4.
Tennessee reliever Caylan Arnold (9-3) picked up the win with two innings of relief, giving up two earned runs on two hits and a walk. She struck out two. Gamecock senior Jessica Elliott (8-3) took the loss in the complete-game outing, allowing seven runs, six earned, on four hits and 10 walks. She matched her season high with seven strikeouts.
Game Changer
Geer, after walking in her previous three plate appearances, fought in the fateful at-bat until she got the pitch to hit.
Key Stat
Elliott’s 10 walks set a new school record for most by a single pitcher in a game at South Carolina.
NOTABLES
White went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and the RBI single.
Snaer doubled twice in her 2-for-3 day, moving into a tie for third on South Carolina’s career doubles list with former All-American Tricia Popowski (1988-91).
Clark had two RBI in an 0-for-3 day.
Williams doubled and went 2-for-4.
Both Geer and Gregg were walked three times and scored twice, Geer adding the three-run homer.
Vines had the two-RBI double in her 1-for-3 day.
Up Next
South Carolina has a short five-game home stand start on Wednesday when USC Upstate comes to town. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
