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LSU decimates USC softball Lady Gamecocks shutout in all three games of weekend series BY MATT ROTHENBERG THE GAMECOCK The 24th-ranked USC softball team was swept in a three-game series this weekend by the fifth ranked LSU Tigers. And as if los ing all three games wasn’t bad enough, the Lady Gamecocks were shut out each time. In the end, LSU’s pitching was just too tough to handle for Carolina (21-11,4-5 SEC). LSU’s All-American candidate Britni Sneed took the hill for the first game and struck out 14 in a complete game two-hitter. A five run sixth inning gave Sneed all the support she would need in a 6-0 LSU victory. Megann Steege scored the first run in the fourth inning on a bases loaded walk, and then the floodgates opened. In the sixth, after Aleshia Perry’s single scored Julie Wiese, outfielder Trena Peel hit a triple with the bases loaded and brought in three runs. Peel then scored on an error by Amber Curtis. Megan Matthews went the dis tance for the Lady Gamecocks in game one, giving up five earned runs on eight hits and striking out five. Meghan Cornett and Danielle Quinones each got a hit for Carolina. In the second game, LSU (24-7, 9-2) piled on seven runs in the fourth inning en route to an 8-0 win in six innings. The Tigers were able to score in a variety of ways: hits, walks, errors, fielder’s choices, passed balls and wild pitches. By the end of the fourth, LSU had scored seven runs on only two hits and two errors. At that point, USC starting pitcher Stacey Johnson was lifted in favor of Aleca Johnson. Jennie Reeves scored the final LSU run in the sixth inning, cross ing home on Peel’s triple. Kristin Schmidt (8-3) got the win for the Tigers. Schmidt struck out seven batters in six innings. Stacey Johnson (6-5) was credited with the loss. She gave up five earned runs on three hits in four innings. She also walked four and struck out three. Quinones, Jodi Fittro and Kim Evans all had a hit for the Lady Gamecocks. Peel’s run on a USC wild pitch in the third inning proved to be the difference on Sunday as LSU finished the sweep. Sneed (13-4) struck out 13 while scattering four hits to earn the 1-0 victory. Peel came home after hitting a triple, her third in three games, and ad vancing on Matthews’ wild pitch. The Lady Gamecocks tried to spark a late rally in the seventh inning, but Melissa Sandel struck out with runners on first and sec ond to end the game. Matthews (12-4) had two strike outs and gave up five hits in the loss. Evans had two hits, while Cornett and Fittro each had one. This was the first time since the SEC went to a three-game se ries format that the losing team was shut out each game.. USC returns home Wednesday with a 3 p.m. doubleheader against East Tennessee State at Beckham Field. The Lady Bucs played Carolina last month at the Gamecock Invitational and lost 8-0. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail.com Baseball CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 for Florida, and he increased his record to 7-0. Hart scattered five hits over eight innings and gave up four runs. Florida sent 12 batters to the plate in the ninth inning and scored eight runs on seven hits and two USC errors. Prior to the rally, USC only trailed 6-4, but the eight-run out burst put the game out of reach. Sunday: USC 6, Florida 4 USC scored two runs in the first inning and never looked back en route to Sunday’s 6-4 victory that won the series. Steven Bondurant earned his third win of the year, pitching 6 2/3 innings and giving up two runs on seven hits. Taylor pitched two-plus in nings to pick up his sixth save. Keith Ramsey took the loss for Florida, pitching six innings for the Gators. Florida cut the deficit to 5-4 in the eighth inning, but Powell’s home run in the bottom of the in ning added an insurance run for the Gamecocks. Carolina is back in action Wednesday night, on the road against The Citadel. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecocksports@hotmail. com Men in NIT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Syracuse has advanced through the tournament by defeating St. Bonaventure 76-66 in the first round and pulling out a second round win against Butler, 76-66 in overtime. The Orangemen then advanced to the semifinals by downing Richmond 62-46 last Wednesday. The Gamecocks have advanced to the semifinals after upending Virginia 74-67, UNLV 75-65 and Ball State last Thursday night. In the postseason this year, ju nior center Tony Kitchings has proven to be the equalizer. In USC’s past six games, Kitchings has pulled in four double-doubles. Against Ball State, Kitchings scored 12 points and pulled in eight rebounds. Jamel Bradley has overcome his late-season slump, and has been strong from behind the arc for the Gamecocks. Against UNLV, Bradley hit three consecu tive 3-pointers to help put the Gamecocks up for good. Against the Cardinals, he was 3-for-5 from behind the line. miucK mason, wno Had 15 points on Thursday, has been playing well in the postseason. The junior is av eraging 2.6 steals per game. Aaron Lucas has averaged 10 points per game this season, and against BSU, he picked up eight assists. Rolando Howell has been playing strong as well, with nearly 10 points per game. For their past two games, the Gamecocks have had at least five players scoring in double digits. Tomorrow night’s game is set for 9:30 p.m. The game will be tele vised on ESPN. Comments on this stcry?E-mail gamecocksports@horniail.com LIKE THE PARENTS WOULD EVER SEND YOU A CARE PACKA6E THIS COOL. GO TOTALLY WIRELESS FOR ONLY $30 WITH NO DEPOSIT.* GET FREE iNotes” 2-WAY TEXT MESSAGING FOR 3 MONTHS. FREE* NOKIA 5165 3000 MINUTES 400 Anytime Minutes. 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