Gamecocks Win Two Games To Extend Winning Streak
Feb. 24, 2018
ORLANDO, Fla. –No. 24 South Carolina softball extended its season-high winning streak to 11 games with two wins on Saturday in the D9 Citrus Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, marking the first time since 1997 the Gamecocks accomplished the feat. The Gamecocks started the day with a 12-0 win over Miami (OH) in five innings before closing the day with a 1-0 win over South Alabama.
Between the two games, Alyssa Kumiyama shined at the plate going 2-for-4 with a team-best five RBI. Kennedy Clark also stood out going 3-for-5 with three runs scored.
Dixie Raley and Cayla Drotar earned the victories in the circle for the Gamecocks as Raley defeated the Red Hawks while Droter earned the win over the Jaguars.
“Like I’ve said all year, I trust my defense,” Cayla Drotar said on the victory over South Alabama. “When I’m going out to the circle there are no worries for me. I just have all my faith in them. I tell myself, ‘you do this every day. Have confidence. It’s nothing new.’ My defense is my sisters, they have my back so in the circle that gives me a lot of confidence.”
Miami (OH) Recap —
The Gamecocks started the day with a commanding 12-0 win over Miami (OH) as Carolina scored an incredible 12 runs on 10 hits in the first inning alone. 10 different Gamecocks finished with hits in the game.
All in the first inning, Mackenzie Boesel, Jana Johns, Alyssa Kumiyama, Jordyn Augustus, Krystan White and Kamryn Watts all plated runs. Kenzi Maguire, Boesel, Kennedy Clark, Johns, Kumiyama, Augustus, White, Alex Fulmer and Watts scored runs.
Dixie Raley (4-0) earned the victory in the circle, going all five innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three.
South Alabama Recap —
After starting the day with an offensive win, Carolina responded with a defensive and pitching win in the victory over South Alabama. Drotar (7-0) went all seven innings in the circle, allowing just two hits while striking out two as she never allowed the Jaguars to find their rhythm at the plate.
Freshman Alyssa Kumiyama came through in the clutch with an RBI double that sneaked by the bag and fielder at third to score Kennedy Clark and give the Gamecocks the 1-0 lead they wouldn’t surrender.
Along with Kumiyama, Clark also contributed at the plate going 2-for-4 in the win. Kenzi Maguire, Jana Johns and Krystan White also contributed
NOTES —
The Gamecocks have scored at least one run in all 15 games this season. Dating back to last season, Carolina has done so in 16 of its last 17 games.
Head coach Beverly Smith improved to 241-179 with the wins. She is the second-winningest coach in school history.
The Gamecocks won both games today to move to 14-1 on the year and their 11th-straight victory of the year. Prior to this season, Carolina last won 11-straight games in 1997. The Gamecocks went on to WCWS that season.
Kenzi Maguire has now reached base in all 15 games to start the season.
Carolina finished the day with 18 hits between the two games on the day.
UP NEXT —
Carolina closes its trip to Orlando, Fla., for the D9 Citrus Classic against Lehigh at 9:00 AM ET. Live stats and updates will be provided on Twitter and gamescocksonline.com.
