Gamecock Softball Opens Season with Shutouts over Ohio, Presbyterian

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) – South Carolina started the 2017 season off right, posting a 10-0 (5) win over Ohio (1-1) on Friday afternoon in the Carolina Classic at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.

Three Gamecocks posted two hits each, with junior Krystan White leading the way with her double, homer and four RBI on the day. Infielders Kamryn Watts and Mackenzie Boesel both had two hits, a run and an RBI as well.

Those runs were more than enough for senior hurler Jessica Elliott (1-0), as she posted a five-inning shutout, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out five.

The Gamecocks struck in the first on senior Victoria Williams’ sacrifice fly and sophomore Kennedy Clark’s RBI single. White started the scoring in the second on a double that one-hopped the centerfield wall. White scored when she and junior Jordyn Augustus executed a double steal, while Augustus, after taking third on a wild pitch, scored on Watts’ groundout. In the third, White followed a walk to junior Tiara Duffy with a line shot over the left-field wall, and Boesel made it 8-0 with her run-scoring single up the middle, plating Augustus.

Two more Gamecocks scored in the fourth, with Duffy bringing home with a bases-loaded walk and White knocking in her fourth run with a sacrifice fly.

Ohio starter Desirae Villanueva (0-1) took the loss, giving up four earned runs on four hits and a walk in two innings of work.

GAME CHANGER
The Gamecocks pulled away with a three-run effort in the third inning, highlighted by White’s home run. After two outs to start the inning, South Carolina had five straight batters reach base to push the lead to 8-0 over the Bobcats.

KEY STAT
Starting pitcher Jessica Elliott had an efficient start to her season, tossing 75 pitches over five innings of work

NOTABLES
The Gamecocks drew five walks to just two strikeouts against Ohio, led by junior Tiara Duffy’s three free passes. South Carolina’s hitters also were hit by a pitch on two occasions.

Kamryn Watts shined in the hot corner, corralling two liners and pitching in two assists from third base to spark the defense.

South Carolina’s lineup proved to be just as aggressive on the basepath as it was in the batter’s box. The Gamecocks were perfect in five steal attempts, and would score a run off of all five swipes.

Mackenzie Boesel had a perfect start to her career in the Garnet and Black, reaching base in all three trips to the plate. She had two hits, a walk, a run scored and a run batted in along with a steal.

The offense’s flow rubbed off on its reserves, as all three of South Carolina’s pinch hitters (Lauren Stewart, Taylor Williams and Shannon Plese) reached base successfully.

Game Two Recap

Drotar Tosses One-Hitter in Debut, Gamecocks Down Presbyterian 8-0 (5)
Senior Victoria Williams homers, triples in two-RBI night

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Gamecocks of South Carolina (2-0) continued their dominance across the diamond in Friday’s second game, trouncing Presbyterian (1-1) 8-0 in five innings at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.

Freshman Cayla Drotar (1-0) posted a one-hitter in her first start in the Garnet and Black. The Hartsville, S.C., product struck out six and only walked one in the five-inning blanking.

A six-run first inning propelled the Gamecocks to the victory. Triples by freshman Mackenzie Boesel and senior Victoria Williams, the first career for both, posted the first run, while Williams scored on a fielding error with two outs. The Gamecocks piled on from there, getting two-RBI singles from juniors Krystan White and Kamryn Watts.

White started the third with a double and scored on a Blue Hose error, making it 7-0. Williams tallied the decisive run with a fourth-inning leadoff blast.

Presbyterian starter Alex Cook (0-1) lasted two-thirds of an inning, giving up six runs, one earned, on four hits.

GAME CHANGER
Drotar kept the Blue Hose off balance in her first career start, changing speeds to help get her six strikeouts, five in the final two frames.

KEY STAT
White went 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBI in the win, capping a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate

NOTABLES
Williams went 2-for-3 with the homer, triple, two runs and two RBI.

Eight of the nine Gamecock batters reached base during the game.

Kelsie Sanchez recorded the only Presbyterian hit in the second on a ball hit deep into the hole between shortstop and third base.

Quotable
Head coach Beverly Smith
It was a great feeling (to get two convincing wins). I thought our team played very well in both games. I told them before the game I wanted to see the team that’s been at practice. The good news is that what they looked like today is what we’ve seen in practice. I was thrilled, from the gritty at-bats to the good pitching and defense. It was all around a great effort.

On her pitching staff tossing two shutouts on the day
I was pleased with two shutouts today from both pitchers. Cayla Drotar, in her freshman debut, was nervous, but she did an excellent job.

Up Next:
The Gamecocks take on defending Big South champs Longwood on day two of the Carolina Classic. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.