COLUMBIA, S.C. – The East Carolina softball team concluded play at the Gamecock Invitational falling 1-0 to host South Carolina on Sunday afternoon at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.
Morgan Johnson, Anna Sawyer, Kanisha Anderson and Logan Sutton each recorded a hit for the Pirates (2-2) who were locked in a pitcher’s duel with the Gamecocks for most of the day until South Carolina got four runners on base and plated the game-deciding run in the bottom of the sixth.
After a first inning where neither team recorded a hit, the Pirates and Gamecocks each hit singles but Annie Kate Dalton threw out the Gamecocks’ runner going for second base to keep South Carolina out of scoring position.
South Carolina threatened to score first in the bottom of the third hitting double to center field with a runner at first but Sawyer launched an impressive throw to Sutton who got the ball to Dalton in time to tag the Gamecocks’ lead runner.
Entering the bottom of the sixth, South Carolina hit three straight singles to score the game’s first run with just one out but Kendall Frost and the Pirates’ defense would get the remaining two outs and prevent any further damage on the scoreboard.
The Pirates would get one more chance to tie the game after Sawyer hit a leadoff double but the next three batters were retired as South Carolina concluded the tournament with the win to improve to 5-0.
Despite the loss, Kendall Frost (0-2) had another strong performance in the circle, shutting down South Carolina bats for most of the day.
Jori Heard (3-0) recorded the win in the circle with 10 strikeouts.
Up Next
East Carolina begins a 13-game home stretch as the Pirates host the Pirate Clash Feb. 14-16, facing Boston and Radford on Friday at 3 and 5:30 p.m. respectively.
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