Softball . March 5, 2017

Home Runs Fell Gamecocks in 5-2 Loss to No. 7/8 UCLA

Game #1

March 5, 2017

FULLERTON, Calif. – South Carolina (15-5) dropped a 5-2 decision against No. 7/8 UCLA (16-4) to start the Gamecocks’ final day in the Judi Garman Classic.

The long ball hurt the Gamecocks for the first time this season. UCLA hit two in the fourth, first a solo shot by Jacqui Prober followed by a three-run blast by Madeline Jelenicki to take a 4-2 lead. Delaney Spaulding added her own home run to start the fifth, handing the Bruins their final run in the 5-2 final.

The Gamecocks held a 2-0 lead after two, as freshman Mackenzie Boesel came through again during the trip to her home state of California. The second baseman doubled to center, plating juniors Tiara Duffy and Kamryn Watts after the duo started the two-out rally with Duffy’s hit and Watts’ walk.

The game was delayed for over an hour due to rain in southern California. After the delay, both teams got runners on via walks but didn’t add any runs to the scoreboard.

UCLA’s Selina Ta’amilo (4-0) picked up the win with four innings of hitless relief, walking three and striking out two. Gamecock senior Nickie Blue (7-2) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on five hits and a walk in four innings of work.

GAME CHANGER

The third inning proved pivotal, as the Bruins hit two of their three home runs in that frame.

KEY STAT

UCLA hit three home runs in the game, one shy of what the Gamecocks had allowed all season prior to the game.

NOTABLES

Boesel went 2-for-2 with a two-RBI double, a walk and a HBP in the contest. She’s now 7-for-12 in the tournament.

Juniors Krystan White and Tiara Duffy also had hits for the Gamecocks.

The Gamecocks hit into two double plays, both of which ended innings, while South Carolina only turned one.

Spaulding ranked as the only Bruin with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with her home run, and she also tallied the game’s only stolen base.

TWEET OF THE GAME