Gamecocks Falter in 2-0 Setback to No. 7/7 Auburn
April 21, 2017
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 7/7 Auburn (38-7, 11-5 SEC) claimed a 2-0 win on Friday night at South Carolina (27-19, 3-12 SEC), helped by Gamecock miscues in the field.
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first when Victoria Draper scored after the Gamecocks’ mishandled a throw on the infield. Draper started the game with a single and stole second to set up the situation. Two innings later, Draper tallied a one-out single, stole second and took third on a passed ball before scoring on Kasey Cooper’s double to left center.
South Carolina never had more than one runner reach base in an inning, but the Gamecocks did tally three doubles, one each by junior Krystan White and seniors Kaylea Snaer and Victoria Williams. Snaer’s double came with one down the sixth, and she moved to third on freshman Mackenzie Boesel’s grounder that the pitcher charged and just caught Boesel at first. But Auburn starter Kaylee Carlson (22-2) got a pop out to end the threat.
Carlson tossed a four-hit shutout, striking out three while not walking a batter in the contest. Gamecock freshman Cayla Drotar (6-3) took the tough-luck loss, scattering two runs, one earned, on five hits and three walks in the complete game.
Game Changer
The error in the first put South Carolina on its heels, and the team couldn’t fight back in time.
Key Stat
Carlson needed 87 pitches to get through the Gamecocks’ order and faced only three batters over the minimum thanks to Auburn’s 36th double play of the season.
NOTABLES
Snaer’s double ties her for second in program history with former All-American Kim Pietro (1996-99), while that hit tied her for 14th on SC’s career charts.
Williams went 2-for-3 with the double, the only Gamecock with multiple hits.
Draper and Cooper both went 2-for-4, with Draper stealing two bases and scoring twice and Cooper tallying the lone Tiger RBI.
South Carolina honored its softball alumni prior to the contest, with former head coach Joyce Compton throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
TWEET OF THE GAME
Honored to reunite Sergeant First Class Lisa Charnock of the National Guard with her family today! 🇺🇸🐔 #ForeverToThee #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/RQFQ0vnC7f
— Gamecock Softball (@GamecockSoftbll) April 21, 2017
Up Next
The two teams tangle again on Saturday, with first pitch slated for 2 p.m. EDT. The Gamecocks honor the 1997 SEC Champs and Women’s College World Series participants in pregame ceremonies.
