Gamecocks Drop Game To North Carolina

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO —- A sacrifice fly out in the bottom of the first and home run in the fifth proved to be the difference as North Carolina took down South Carolina, 4-0, Sunday at Nancy Almarez Stadium. The Tar Heels jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning and extended it with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to earn the victory. 
 
The Gamecocks moved to 3-2 on the season following the loss with wins over BYU, Duke and Notre Dame during the week in Mexico at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge. 
 
Brittany Pickett (1-0) was the dominant factor for UNC, going seven innings with five hits. 
 
South Carolina struggled to find its rhythm offensively, as Jana Johns, Madison Owens and Alexis Lindsey produced hits with the bases empty while Lauren Stewart beat out an infield single with a runner on first. 
 
Cayla Drotar (1-1) took the loss in the circle for the Gamecocks. 
 
NOTES: 

• The Gamecocks finished the week 3-2 in their first five games outside of the United States. 
• Carolina’s Kenzi Maguire and Haley Simpson were named to the All-PVC Tournament Team for their performances throughout the week.  
• South Carolina has had five different players (Kenzi Maguire, Jana Johns, Alexis Lindsey, Kennedy Clark and Haley Simpson) produce multi-hit games thus far. Maguire leads the way through five games with two. Simpson is the first Gamecock to have a three-hit game. 
• The Gamecocks moved to 29-11 in opening weekend games under Beverly Smith following Sunday’s game. 
• Katie Prebble (transfer), Haley Simpson (freshman), Karly Heath (freshman), Madison Owens (freshman) and Jordan Fabian (freshman) all saw their first action at Carolina this weekend.