Gamecocks Edge #9 Softball, 7-6, In 9

Saturday, March 14

Columbia, S.C.

6:00 PM

University of Tennessee

18-5, 0

South Carolina

20-8, 0

Tennessee

South Carolina

March 14, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

March 14, 2015

Box Score

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Gretchen Aucoin crushed two home runs and Annie Aldrete had a game-tying RBI hit in the seventh, but No. 9 came up one run short on Saturday, falling to South Carolina, 7-6, in nine innings.

The Lady Vols (18-5, 0-2 SEC) scored four runs in the first inning, one in the third, one in the seventh. South Carolina (20-8, 2-3 SEC) did most of its scoring early in the game as well with three in the first, two in the second and one in the third before Kaylea Snaer hit a game-winning RBI single to center field in the bottom of the ninth.

Aucoin started and gave up five runs over 1.1 innings. Rainey Gaffin (3-2) threw 7.0 relief frames, striking out 11 and giving up two runs.

Aucoin was 2-for-4 at the plate with a solo homer and a three-run blast for four RBIs. Meghan Gregg finished 2-for-5.

Julie Sarratt started for South Carolina and surrendered five runs over four innings. Nickie Blue (11-4) earned the win in relief after throwing five innings with one run allowed.

Saturday's game marked UT's first extra-inning contest since falling to Oklahoma, 5-3, in 12 frames on June 4, 2013, in Game 1 of the 2013 Women's College World Series Championship Series.

Tennessee took control of the game early with a four-run first inning. With two on and two outs, Taylor Koenig hit an RBI bloop single to center field, scoring Gaffin from second base. Aucoin followed with three-run blast to straightaway center, her second home run of the season and first since hitting one at Kennesaw State on Feb. 7.

South Carolina answered with three runs in the bottom of the first. Kristen Struett singled through the left side and Alaynie Page scored after a fielding error in left. Then Victoria Williams hit an RBI single up the middle. Two batters later, Lauren Masters clubbed an RBI double to left center to bring the Gamecocks to within 4-3.

South Carolina pulled ahead, 5-4, in the bottom of the second when Jordan Bizzell hit a one-out, two-RBI double to left center, scoring Page and Tiara Duffy. Gaffin relieved Aucoin in the circle after the double.

Aucoin evened the game at 5-5 in the top of the third when she crushed a 1-1 pitch off Julie Sarratt to left field for a two-out solo homer.

The Gamecocks reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the third when Page ripped a two-out, RBI single through the left side.

The Lady Vols tied the game at 6-6 in the seventh inning when Aldrete hit a one-out, RBI single down the left field line.

Gaffin and Blue were strong in the circle over the next two innings until Snaer hit the game-winning RBI hit with two runners on in the ninth.

Tennessee will conclude its weekend series against South Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The game will feature a live online video broadcast via SEC Network + and the WatchESPN app and a free live audio broadcast on WNML 990 AM and UTSports.com with Brian Rice on the call. Fans can also follow the action live on UTSports.com with live stats and a live blog.