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Gamecocks Drop 6-0 Contest to No. 2/1 Florida
Softball  . 

Gamecocks Drop 6-0 Contest to No. 2/1 Florida

March 17, 2017

Box Score

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (19-8, 1-3 SEC) committed two errors and lost its first home game of the season, falling to No. 2/1 Florida (24-1, 3-0 SEC) 6-0 on Friday night at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.

The Gators scored two runs in both the first and third to take the advantage. Janell Wheaton drove in Sophia Reynoso with a groundout in the first to start the scoring, while Jaimie Hoover singled in the second Gator run. Two innings later, Nicole DeWitt led off the frame with a homer, while the Gators’ Wheaton and Amanda Lorenz executed the first-and-third double steal for the fourth run.

In the fifth, a Gamecock error let pinch runner Jacqui Switzer score from second. The final Florida run crossed in the seventh on Kayli Kvistad’s RBI groundout.

The Gamecocks left six base runners on the bags, including two in the sixth after freshman Mackenzie Boesel drew a leadoff walk before moving to second on a wild pitch. Junior Tiara Duffy beat out an infield single, moving Boesel to third, but Florida starting pitcher Delaney Gourley (10-1) got one of her nine strikeouts to end the frame and the threat.

Gourley went the distance in a two-hit shutout, walking a season-high four. Gamecock senior Nickie Blue (7-4) took the loss, allowing five runs, four earned on six hits and four walks in five innings. She struck out three.

Game Changer

The Gators’ Reynoso led off the game with a double, setting the tone for the contest.

Key Stat

Gourley, who entered the game with just six walks allowed on the season, gave up four to the Gamecocks, but she still tossed a shutout.

NOTABLES

Four different Gamecocks drew the walks: senior Kaylea Snaer, Boesel, sophomore Kennedy Clark and junior Alyssa VanDerveer.

Clark and Duffy collected the two South Carolina hits.

DeWitt led the Gators with three runs scored on her 2-for-3 night, adding the double and homer.

Kvistad drew three of Florida’s four walks.

Reynoso also went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Gamecock freshman Cayla Drotar tossed two innings in relief, allowing only one earned run on two hits while striking out one.

Up Next

The Gators and Gamecocks tangle again on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. on SEC Network + on Watch ESPN.