USC Softball Gets Opening Day Split

TAMPA, Fla. (USC SID) — The South Carolina Gamecocks (1-1) closed out the opening day of the 2016 softball season with a 7-1 win at USF after falling 15-3 (5) to No. 2/2 Michigan in the first game of the day in the USF Wilson Demarini Tournament. Junior Victoria Williams hit a two-run home run in the victory over the host Bulls, leading the offensive charge in game two, while both senior Ansley Ard and freshman Kenzi Maguire tallied three hits in the loss to the Wolverines.

Game Two Recap:

Gamecocks Bounce Back with 7-1 Victory at USF
Victoria Williams’ two-run homer in the first hands South Carolina the win

TAMPA, Fla. – South Carolina (2-0) picked up a 7-1 win over USF (0-1) to close out the Gamecocks’ opening day at the USF Wilson Demarini Tournament at the USF Softball Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Gamecocks, who had the leadoff runner on base in every inning, never looked back after junior designated player Victoria Williams hit the first South Carolina home run of the season, a two-run shot to right center. Williams went 2-for-4 in the game.

USF cut the lead to 2-1 on Cassidy Boyle’s two-out RBI double in the second.

South Carolina dominated from there, posting five runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth to put the game away. Freshmen Kennedy Clark and Kenzi Maguire drove in the first runs of their Gamecock in the fourth, Clark with a double and Maguire with a single. Senior Jordan Bizzell had a sac fly in the fifth, while Clark and senior Alaynie Page had sac flies in the sixth to cap the scoring.

Junior Jessica Elliott (1-0) picked up the win, tossing four innings, giving up one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out three. Classmate Nickie Blue collected her first save of the year with three shutout innings, striking out three. USF’s Erica Nunn (0-1) took the loss, allowing five earned runs on eight hits in five innings.

Game Changer:
Williams’ homer put the Gamecocks ahead, and they never looked back.

Key Stat:
South Carolina had its leadoff runner on base in every inning of the victory.

Notables:
• Clark drove in two in a 1-for-2 outing.
• Five different Gamecocks drove in runs, three with sacrifice flies.
• Three different Gamecocks (Jordyn Augustus, Alexis Mack and Page) had stolen bases.
• Two Bulls tallied two hits, Juli Weber and Nunn.

Up Next:
The Gamecocks take on Virginia Tech in Saturday’s first game at 9:30 a.m. EST in the USF Wilson Demarini Tournament.

Game One Recap:

Gamecocks Fall 15-3 (5) to No. 2/2 Michigan in 2016 Season Opener
Gamecocks Ansley Ard, Kenzi Maguire both go 3-for-3

TAMPA, Fla. – No. 2/2 Michigan (1-0) claimed a 15-3 win in the 2016 season opener over South Carolina (0-1) in the USF Wilson Demarini Tournament at the USF Softball Stadium.

The Wolverines scored in each inning, including three unearned runs in the first after a pair of Gamecock errors. Four more crossed in the second, capped by Aidan Falk’s two-run home run. Two two-out RBI singles plated a pair of Michigan runs in the third, while six came home in the fourth, the final blow a grand slam by Sierra Romero.

South Carolina scored a run in the second after freshman shortstop Kenzi Maguire doubled to start the frame and scored on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to senior catcher Jordan Bizzell. Senior left fielder Alaynie Page drove home a run in the fourth with a sacrifice fly, while senior centerfielder Ansley Ard plated the final run with an RBI single in the fifth.

The Gamecocks had the leadoff batter reach base in four of the five innings and loaded the bases in three of the innings, going 0-for-4 in that situation. By contrast, Michigan scored six of its first nine runs with two outs. Falk went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Wolverines. Sierra Lawrence scored four runs, while Romero went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and six RBI.

Wolverine starter Megan Betsa (1-0) picked up the win with three innings of work, fanning seven and allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks. Gamecock junior Nickie Blue (0-1) also tossed three innings, giving up nine runs, six earned, on eight hits and four walks. She struck out three.

Game Changer:
Michigan went 5-for-8 with two outs in the contest, posting six two-out RBI.

Key Stat:
Gamecocks Ard and Maguire both went 3-for-3, with Maguire hitting the only extra-base hit for South Carolina with her double.

Notables:
• Freshman Kennedy Clark walked twice in her debut, while classmate Alexis Mack stole a base in her first chance as a pinch runner.
• Page did have her first outfield assist, throwing out a Wolverine trying to score to end the fourth.
• Two other Gamecocks drew walks, Page and senior Lauren Masters, while junior Kaylea Snaer had the seventh Gamecock hit.