Feb. 20, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Home runs from freshmen Evan Childs and Kristen Stubblefield propelled the Carolina Gamecocks past North Florida, 4-3, on Friday on the first day of the Gamecock Invitational at Beckham Field.
South Carolina (8-1) saw freshman starting pitcher Kierstyn White go four innings, allowing three runs and six hits while striking out six to move her record to an unblemished 4-0 mark. Freshman Audrey Broyles picked up her first career save, walking just one in her three innings of work. She fanned four. Shaina Dent (4-2) got the loss for North Florida (4-11), allowing five hits and four earned runs in one-plus innings in the circle.
The Gamecocks got on the board in the first thanks to a three-run blast by Childs. The Conway, S.C., product followed sophomore Laura Mendes’ fielder’s choice and sophomore Jill Semento’s walk with a shot out to left with two outs in the first. Stubblefield added another ball onto Weems Baskin Track with her big fly to lead off the second, putting South Carolina on top, 4-0.
North Florida did not go away quietly, putting two on the board in the third. Allyson Bailey had an infield single to score Britanie Block, and Airen Payne followed with another RBI single, plating Kara Rutenbar. White got Amanda Moseley to strike out to get out of the inning.
White got through the fourth to qualify for the win, and she came out for the fifth but allowed a leadoff home run to Ashley Battaglia.
Freshman Lauren Lackey moved her hitting streak to six games with a single in the seventh.
South Carolina plays Eastern Illinois and Chattanooga at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday on the second day of the Gamecock Invitational.
