April 18, 2009
MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. – Three Gamecock pitchers combined with some great defense to get a 2-0 shutout victory over Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon at the MSU Softball Field.
The Gamecocks (19-18, 5-15 SEC) posted the first run of the game in the fourth when sophomore Jill Semento singled home junior Adele Voigt, who reached on a one-out walk and stole her way into scoring position.
South Carolna’s defense, especially from junior third baseman Lindsay Walker, helped them escape a jam in the fifth. With one down, South Carolina brought in freshman Kelsey Goodwin, who got Bulldog cleanup hitter Sammie Jo Bailey to line the ball toward third. Walker snagged the ball and tagged out Brittany Bell trying to dive back into third to keep the Bulldogs (22-22, 4-15 SEC) scoreless. An inning later, Voigt made a great catch to start the frame, making a diving catch on a ball near the line to take away a double from Ali Bainbridge.
South Carolina added an insurance run in the sixth when, with runners at first and third with one down, freshman Kristen Stubblefield singled home sophomore Laura Mendes. Mendes got a one-out double and moved to third on Voigt’s single.
Gamecock starter Kierstyn White (8-2) picked up the win, spreading six hits out over 4.1 innings, fanning four while not allowing a walk. Audrey Broyles earned her third save, giving up just one hit in two innings. Mississippi State’s Lindsey Dunlap (13-13) got the loss, allowing both earned runs on five hits in seven innings of work.
South Carolina looks to take its second SEC series in a row on Sunday against Mississippi State, with first pitch for the single game slated for 1 p.m.
