COLUMBIA, South Carolina – Sophomore
Ashley Best posted two hits and drove in three runs, but it was not enough as South Carolina rallied from a three-run deficit to earn a 7-5 victory over UNCW in a non-conference game at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field on Tuesday evening.
The Gamecocks, who won their fourth game in a row, improved to 28-9 on the season while UNCW dropped to 21-15 after closing out a five-game road trip.
Best gave UNCW a 3-0 lead when she hit her second home run of the season with a three-run shot to left center field. She also added a single in the sixth inning for her first multi-hit game of the season.
Senior
Erin Brown and juniors
Merritt Wilkinson and
Nella Chamblee each collected a hit for the Seahawks. Wilkinson also scored a run while extending her hitting streak to five straight games.
Senior
Alaynie Page and junior
Kaylea Snear each posted two hits for South Carolina. Page also drove in four runs along with hitting her seventh home run of the season.
Junior
Jessica Elliott earned the win in the circle for the Gamecocks. She allowed four earned runs on six hits while recording eight strikeouts. Â Â Â Â Â
How It Happened: South Carolina overcame a 3-0 deficit by scoring seven consecutive runs over a three-inning span, including four runs in the fourth inning. The Seahawks trimmed the deficit to 7-5 by scoring twice in the sixth inning before Elliott retired four of the final five hitters to close out the game.
Inside the Box Score: UNCW pitchers induced the Gamecocks into 12 ground ball outs … South Carolina was 8-for-12 in advancement opportunities while UNCW was 4-for-11 in those situations … Each team had its lead-off hitter reach base one time.
#SeahawkStats: South Carolina leads the all-time series by a 7-0 margin, including a 4-0 mark in Columbia … The Seahawks scored four or more runs for the 11th time this season … Best became the second UNCW player with more than one home run … The Seahawks dropped to 8-2 when hitting a home run this season … UNCW suffered its first loss when scoring first this season and is now 15-1 in those situations.
Up Next for the Seahawks: UNCW returns to Colonial Athletic Association play this weekend by hosting Delaware for a three-game series. The Seahawks and the Blue Hens will have a doubleheader on Saturday (Apr. 9) before a single game on Sunday (Apr. 10).
