South Carolina softball gets no-hit in season-ending loss
It was within reach. A chance to continue the dream. All South Carolina needed to do was win one more game and it would be moving on.
But it’s always hard to beat a team twice, especially in the same day. While the Gamecocks gave it their all, it wouldn’t be enough to beat Florida State for a second time.
After winning its first game of the day, South Carolina hit a brick wall in game two, while the Seminoles won 1-0 to advance to the NCAA Super Regionals.
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It would be Florida State pitcher Kathryn Sandercock who stole the show Sunday afternoon. She pitched a perfect game, retiring all 21 batters she faced in order. It’s the second time this weekend that the Seminoles have reached such a feat, throwing a combined no-hitter on Friday.
South Carolina couldn’t solve Sandercock after hitting so well in its previous two games. She struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.
Things were pretty nip-and-tuck for most of the game. After trading zeroes through two and a half innings, the Gamecocks made their first mistake of the game, and it proved to be a costly one.
With a runner on second, Florida State’s Jahni Kerr laid down a bunt that rolled back to Bailey Betenbaugh. Kerr hustled down the line, forcing Betenbaugh to rush her throw to first, which got away from Jordan Fabian and rolled down the first base line. This allowed Josie Muffley to score and give the Seminoles the game’s first lead.
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Outside of the one error, South Carolina didn’t let up after that. Betenbaugh and Donnie Gobourne combined to pitch six strong innings, allowing the one run on six hits. Once again, Gobourne looked dominant in the circle. She pitched 3.2 innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.
While it’s a disappointing end to the season, there was still plenty of good to come out of it. After finishing dead-last in the SEC for two years, the Gamecocks came within one win of an SEC Tournament title as a 10-seed. Then, after losing their first game in the NCAA Tournament, they won three elimination games to have a chance at a Super Regional berth.
