April 21, 2002
Gainesville, Fla. – Propelled by Megan Matthews’ (19-6) star pitching and a sixth-inning RBI double by Danielle Quinones, the University of South Carolina (35-14, 16-8 SEC) took the last of a three game series against the University of Florida (29-30, 9-15 SEC).
Matthews’ no-hitter on Sunday is her sixth all time and second this year. She struck out eight on route to the achievement . The complete game shut-out is her eleventh of the year. In her career Matthews has 43 shutouts, nine shy of the USC record. She also has 118 complete games, a Carolina record. In the Saturday game against the Gators, Matthews posted the all-time Strike-out record for Carolina.
The Gamecocks needed all of Matthews’ skill to beat the Gators. The only run in the game came in the fifth inning. Samantha Jennings walked after an Adrianna Baggetta strike-out and a Tia Rogers fly ball put two outs on the board. After Jennings walked, Quinones stepped to the plate and hit a double to left field to score Jennings. The inning ended with a Jodi Fittro fly-out to left.
Matthews took the run and cruised, striking out four of the final nine batters and not allowing another base-runner the rest of the game.
The series with the Gators will leave Carolina atop the SEC East standings going into the weekend series with the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. The Gamecocks will return home to play the Coastal Carolina Lady Chants May 1 at 5:00 p.m.
