Gamecocks Come Up Short in 3-1 Loss to No. 1/2 Florida State
April 15, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 1/2 Florida State (39-3-1) used timely hitting to claim a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon over South Carolina (25-18) at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
The Seminoles picked up their first run in the third thanks to a bases-loaded catcher’s interference, which brought home Morgan Klaevemann. Two more Seminoles scored in the fourth, as Cali Harrod doubled with one down and scored on Carsyn Gordon’s triple. Cassidy Davis followed with a sacrifice fly to plate Gordon.
Three times, the Gamecocks got the tying run to the plate, including in the fifth, when junior Kamryn Watts dropped a double behind the infield grass near the left-field line ahead of a four-pitch walk to senior Kaylea Snaer. But FSU starter Meghan King (18-1) got a pop out, a ground out and a fly out to escape that situation.
In the seventh, Watts led off with a single through the hole in FSU’s slapper shift, and freshman Mackenzie Boesel knocked a one-out hit off King’s glove. A wild pitch moved both into scoring position, and senior Victoria Williams brought Watts home with her grounder to short. With two down, Florida State brought in Jessica Burroughs, and she induced a foul pop behind the plate to collect her third save.
King gave up one earned run on seven hits and two walks in 6.2 innings of work, fanning five. Gamecock senior Nickie Blue (9-8) took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks. She struck out four.
Game Changer
The back-to-back hits in the fourth gave the Seminoles all they needed.
Key Stat
While Florida State had only five hits, three went for extra bases: doubles by Jessica Warren and Harrod and a triple by Gordon.
NOTABLES
Boesel went 2-for-4, while Watts was 2-for-3 with the double, her first of the year, and a run scored.
With her walk, Snaer ties former teammate and All-American Alaynie Page (2013-16) for second in program history.
The Gamecocks out-hit the Seminoles 7-5. South Carolina is now 19-5 when outhitting the opposition.
Klaevemann stood as the only Seminole with multiple hits, going 2-for-4.
TWEET OF THE GAME
While everyday is a great day to be a Gamecock, today is especially sweet to be at #BeckhamField 4 @GamecockSoftbll pic.twitter.com/UUDkpzq5Af
— Gary Meyerl (@Meyerlistic) April 15, 2017
Quoting head coach Beverly Smith
I liked our fight this weekend. I liked that we started the seventh inning getting our leadoff batter on, and had an opportunity to win the ballgame at the end. Nickie Blue pitched a fantastic game, holding down an unbelievable Florida State offense. She kept us in the game all day. Our infield made some great stops behind Blue. We just needed that timely hit. Our team fought all day today.
Up Next
South Carolina wraps up its scheduled non-conference games with a Tuesday doubleheader against Charleston Southern. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
