Gamecocks Fall to No. 2 Seed Arizona 5-0
May 20, 2017
TUCSON, Ariz. – No. 5/5 Arizona (50-7) took advantage of South Carolina’s mistakes and claimed a 5-0 win to advance into the Tucson Regional finals on Sunday with a 5-0 win on Saturday afternoon at Hillenbrand Stadium.
The Wildcats’ Katiyana Mauga put national No. 2 seed Arizona on the board in the third with a home run to straightaway center. That lead grew in the fifth after the Gamecocks committed a two-out error with the bases loaded, letting Dejah Mulipola score. Mandie Perez followed with a bases-loaded infield single, and Mauga brought home two more with a single to center, stretching Arizona’s lead to 5-0.
Arizona starting pitcher Danielle O’Toole (29-4) controlled the Gamecocks’ lineup, coming two batters shy of facing the minimum. She struck out seven in the one-hitter.
Gamecock senior Nickie Blue (10-11) took the loss, giving up five runs, one earned, on nine hits and four walks in 4.2 innings of work. She struck out two.
Game Changer
Arizona’s O’Toole dominated the game, needing 75 pitches in the complete-game shutout.
Key Stat
Mauga went 2-for-3 with the homer and three RBI in the Wildcats’ win.
NOTABLES
Gamecock senior Victoria Williams doubled in the seventh to break up the no-hitter. She’s now tied for 12th in Gamecock history for doubles and 20th in total bases with that hit.
Four Wildcats had two hits, Mauga, Perez, Mulipola and Reyna Carranco.
South Carolina’s Jessica Elliott gave up a hit that allowed two inherited runners to score but closed out the game with 1.1 innings without a run charged to her.
Up Next
The Gamecocks play in the second elimination game of the day later tonight, facing the winner of New Mexico State and St. Francis.
