USC Tops USF, Advances To Sunday In Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (USC SID) — Behind the first career shutout of junior Jessica Elliott, South Carolina (38-22) eliminated No. 24/24 USF (45-16) with a 6-0 win on Saturday night in the Tallahassee Regional at JoAnne Graf Field.

Elliott (18-9) scattered four hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch in her first complete-game shutout, striking out four in the win. She got the support of the Gamecock offense, with five different players adding hits, led by junior first baseman Kaylea Snaer’s RBI double.

The Gamecocks took a 1-0 lead on a two-error misplay by the Bull right fielder, first having the fly ball hit off her glove on a leap near the wall before her throw to the infield missed the cutoff, allowing Snaer score.

That lead grew to 4-0 in the third after South Carolina loaded the bases on sophomore third baseman Kamryn Watts’ single, a fielder’s choice to senior left fielder Alaynie Page and an intentional walk to Snaer. A slow grounder off sophomore second baseman Krystan White’s bat brought home Watts and kept the bags packed. An error on senior right fielder Ansley Ard’s fielder’s choice allowed Snaer’s pinch runner, sophomore Jordyn Augustus, to score. Junior designated player Victoria Williams came through with a two-out RBI single off the Bulls’ second baseman’s glove ranging far up the middle, letting White score the fourth run.

Two more Gamecocks scored in the fourth. Freshman centerfielder Kennedy Clark plated senior catcher Jordan Bizzell with a sacrifice fly, while Snaer hit her 25th double of the year off the top of the wall in left center to bring home Watts.

Bull starter Erica Nunn (27-12) took the loss, allowing six runs, four earned, on three hits and three walks in 3.2 innings of work.

Game Changer:
The Gamecocks getting on the board in the first was big, but the three-run third iced the game.

Key Stat:
USF committed three errors, contributing to the Bulls’ end.

Up Next:
The Gamecocks earned a rematch against No. 8 national seed Florida State on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 12 noon EDT at JoAnne Graf Field. South Carolina will look to make it a doubleheader by winning the first possible championship game.