Gamecocks Drop Series Opener to No. 7/5 Texas A&M 5-2
April 1, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina (22-13, 2-8 SEC) fell in the series opener to No. 7/5 Texas A&M (30-3, 8-2 SEC) 5-2 on Saturday afternoon at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
The Aggies, after the Gamecocks escaped a bases-loaded, none-out situation in the first without damage thanks to senior Nickie Blue’s three strikeouts, tallied a two-out run in the second when Keeli Milligan walked, stole second and scored on Kaitlyn Alderink’s double off a Gamecock glove over third base. That lead grew to 3-0 when Riley Sartain posted a two-RBI single in the fourth.
South Carolina got on the board in the bottom of the fourth after a double steal. Sophomore Lauren Stewart, on as a pinch runner after senior Victoria Williams’ single, moved to second on junior Tiara Duffy’s bunt single. The duo both moved up a base, and Stewart scored when the throw to third went high and into left. The Aggies, however, got the second Gamecock runner trying to take third on the play.
Texas A&M capped their scoring in the sixth with two more runs. Sarah Hudek singled home the first run, while Samantha Show knocked a sacrifice fly, scoring Ashley Walters from third on a close play at the plate. The Gamecocks made it 5-2 in the sixth on senior Kaylea Snaer’s single, but she was thrown out at second after the Aggies cut off the throw towards the plate.
Aggie starter Trinity Harrington (9-1) went the distance, scattering eight hits and four walks while allowing two runs, one earned, in the win. Blue (8-6) took the loss, giving up three earned runs on six hits and five walks in four innings. She struck out six.
Game Changer
The Aggies had 20 baserunners in the game, keeping the pressure on the Gamecocks’ pitching and defense.
Key Stat
Harrington managed to keep the Gamecocks off balance and the ball in the infield, garnering 14 groundouts. Only three fly balls were caught by Texas A&M outfielders.
NOTABLES
Snaer doubled as part of her 3-for-4 day, moving into 19th in Gamecock history in hits. She also tied two in eighth on the total-bases charts.
Blue, with her five strikeouts, moved past former All-American Gretchen Koenig (1985-88) into fifth in all-time K’s, now with 470 in her career.
Williams stood as the other Gamecock with multiple hits, going 2-for-3. Duffy, junior Kamryn Watts and freshman Mackenzie Boesel also had hits.
Alderink went 3-for-4 with the RBI double to lead Texas A&M. Tori Vidales went 1-for-2 and drew three walks.
Both Hudek and Milligan had two hits, with Milligan scoring twice and stealing a base.
TWEET OF THE GAME
@Gks929 She’s in good company buddy! https://t.co/sItSYOS0UA
– Karen SanchelliJohns (@sanchelli10) April 1, 2017
Up Next
South Carolina and Texas A&M continue the series at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
