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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Campbell fell to South Carolina 2-0 in a pitcher's duel Tuesday afternoon at Beckham Field in Columbia, S.C.
Courtney Roberts pitched six innings allowing two earned runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out four. Roberts was charged with the loss moving her to 8-6 on the year and dropping Campbell to a 23-21 overall mark.
Julie Sarratt pitched four innings allowing one hit while striking out six and walking a batter. Sarrat moves to 12-9 on the season, and the Gamecocks move to 26-14 on the season. Nickie Blue pitched three innings in relief allowing two hits, walking one and striking out three. Blue earned her fifth save of the season.
Courtney Klingler, Jordan Clarke, and Brittany Bruce collected singles for the Camels. Clarke was a perfect 1-for-1 in the game, drawing two free passes. Olivia Scarborough drew a walk in her two plate appearances.
Campbell went in order in the top half of the inning. South Carolina's leadoff hitter Ashlyn Masters doubled down the left field line, and later scored on a two-out bases loaded infield single by Chelsea Hawkins to push South Carolina to a 1-0 lead.
Jordan Clarke drew a two-out free pass, but was stranded at first to close out the top half of the second inning. Roberts induced a fly ball and a pop out to the catcher to strand a runner at third to end the bottom of the second.
Klingler singled to left field with two-out in the top of the third. She was stranded at first to end the top of the third. Roberts induced a fly out to left field and then Raven Lee made a terrific catch over the first base dugout railing to secure the second out. CU got out of the inning with a ground out to hold the score at 1-0 South Carolina.
Both teams went scoreless in the fourth inning. Clarke singled down the first base line to begin the rally for the Camels in the top of the fifth. Clarke was pinch run for by Amanda Daw, who was advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Shaela Churchill. The inning ended on a long fly ball down the right field line by Erica Johnson. South Carolina led 1-0 going with two out in the bottom of the fifth, when pinch-hitter Victoria Williams tripled off the right field wall driving in Ashlyn Masters to extend the Gamecock lead to 2-0.
The game came to a dramatic conclusion when Campbell loaded the bases in the top of the seventh on a single to right by Bruce, who later stole third base following a walk by Clarke with two outs. Scarborough drew a walk to load the bases with two outs in the seventh. South Carolina pitcher Blue induced a ground ball to secure the 2-0 victory over Campbell.
The Camels will take on Longwood in a three game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. The first game of the doubleheader will be televised on ESPN3. The final game of the series is slated for 1 p.m. Sunday.
