April 21, 2004
Columbia, S.C. – The University of South Carolina softball team used a seven-run fourth inning to defeat Furman 8-2. The Gamecocks hit four doubles in the inning to help Coach Joyce Compton earn her 800th career victory at USC. USC improved to 24-18 while Furman fell to 12-39.
Kristin Hall broke up the scoreless game in the fourth as she doubled to right field to score Darcey Norem. Norem entered the game as the pinch runner for Ashley Smith who doubled to lead off the inning. Samantha Jennings hit a grounder to the third baseman and on a fielder’s choice by Kristy Goodrich Hall was thrown out at home to prevent USC from scoring.
With two outs in the fourth, designated player Margaret Person hit a bunt single to load the bases for Nancy Crane. Crane then drew a walk on a 3-1 count and USC went up 2-0. Meghan Cornett then singled to drive in her fourth run of the day to give the Gamecocks a 3-0 lead.
Hughes then doubled to drive in three runs to give the Gamecocks a 6-0 lead to lead USC to their second time through the line-up for the inning. Smith then came to bat for the second time in the inning and hit her second double of the inning to drive in Hughes and gave Carolina their seventh run of the game.
Lakerah Barr scored the first run of the day for Furman as she led off the fifth with a double and came home on an RBI single by Megan Jaudon. In the sixth, Furman recorded three straight hits before Jessica Matthews grounded out to a 5-3 double play. Jaudon then scored on a single by Joni Lockridge to cut USC’s lead to five runs. Carolina got out of the inning on a 1-3 groundout by Kristy Goodrich.
The Gamecocks will face Ole Miss this weekend to close out the SEC season. Saturday’s doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m.
Team 123 456 7 R H EFUR 000 002 0 2 5 1USC 000 701 x 8 8 1
WP: Henkes (6-7) LP: Nesselroad (0-11)
