The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
23-26, 7-19
South Carolina
20-22, 7-14
Rebels Sweep Doubleheader From South Carolina
4/26/2008 | Softball
May doubled down the third-base line to start the bottom of the ninth and advanced to third on a ground out by Courtnie Ghinaudo to set up Doubt’s game-winning single. Doubt finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, while May added one hit and one run in three trips to the plate for Ole Miss (24-26, 8-19 SEC).
Tomorrow’s final game in the series has been moved up to an 11 a.m. start due to expected inclement weather in the
Ashton Payne tripled to center to lead off the game for the Gamecocks (20-23, 7-15 SEC), but Rebel starting pitcher Tara Willitt retired the next three South Carolina batters in order to strand the runner at third.
Willitt (7-11) pitched 9.0 innings in the complete-game effort. She allowed only five hits and one unearned run, while striking out nine. Willitt retired 12 batters in a row at one point and did not issue a walk.
“Both Tara and Becky threw great today,” said Ole Miss head coach Missy Dickerson. “They did what we asked and gave us what we needed. The girls knew what we needed to do today and that was take care of business. Hopefully we can do it again tomorrow.”
Lisa Conchos reached on a fielder’s choice with two down in the Rebel first and moved to third on an illegal pitch and a wild pitch, but catcher Amber Tramp struck out looking to end the inning.
Third baseman Jill Semento singled up the middle for the Gamecocks in the fifth and was pinch ran for by Whitney Wierzbicki. Gamecock catcher P.J. Fulmer sacrificed Wierzbicki to second with one down in the inning. Willitt struck out first baseman Becky Martinez for the second out. Chrissy Schoonmaker singled to right, but Alyssa McGovern fired a strike to home plate to gun down Wierzbicki trying to score and end the inning.
Ole Miss tied the game back at one in the bottom of the sixth when Alyssa McGovern walked and later scored on an arrant throw by
Fulmer doubled to left center for the Gamecocks with one out in the top of the seventh, but was stranded after a strike out and a fly out.
May walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh and was pinch ran for by Rachel Torres. After two outs, Torres stole second and then third before the Gamecocks intentionally walked Lauren Grill to put runners on the corners. However,
Hendon (8-13) suffered the loss for
Game Two
Becky Nye pitched 7.0 innings for her fourth shutout of the season, as Ole Miss blanked
Alyssa McGovern had the first hit of the day for either team in the third, as she attempted a sac bunt to advance Lauren Grill, who was walked earlier in the inning. McGovern’s speed got the better of the Gamecock’s infield, as she was able to reach base. A double by Amber Tramp to left center scored both Grill and McGovern to give the Rebels the 2-0 lead. Tramp finished the day 2-for-2 with two RBI to lead the Rebels.
Ashley Dowdy added to the lead in the fourth with a home run to make the game 3-0. The bomb to center field was Dowdy’s second of the season and she finished the day 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Nye (11-9) picked up the win in her 13th complete game of the year. She allowed only two hits and struck out two batters, while walking one.
Gamecock pitcher Kate Pouliot (5-4) took the loss. She pitched 3.0 innings and gave up three runs on three hits with one strikeout. Krystle Robinson replaced Pouliot in the fourth and pitched the final 3.0 innings. She gave up one hit and struck out two.
Nye pitched a no-hitter until the fifth when Cagney Davis hit a shot over Lisa Conchos’ head to give the Gamecocks their first hit. Jessica Josker advanced
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Tara Willitt (7-11)
L: Melissa Hendon (8-13)
Batting:
2B: P.J. Fulmer 1
3B: Ashton Payne 1
RBI: Laura Mendes 1
SH: P.J. Fulmer 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ashton Payne 1
Batting:
2B: Michelle May 1
RBI: Alise Doubt 1
SH: Amber Tramp 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Alyssa McGovern 1 ; Michelle May 1
SB: Lauren Grill 1 ; Rachel Torres 2
