Gamecocks end nonconference play with weekend doubleheader
South Carolina softball’s nonconference play wraps up Saturday as the team plays a doubleheader against the Longwood Lancers.
The Gamecocks are looking for a fresh start after snapping their seven-game losing streak and four-game scoreless streak against Winthrop with a 12-2 mercy rule win.
“The game was great, and it was certainly nice to put some runners across home plate Wednesday,” said head coach Beverly Smith. “We keep our approach the same. The girls are starting to get confident in their abilities and their swing once again.”
But Longwood will present more of a challenge to South Carolina. The Lancers, who will join the Big South Conference this summer, have complied a 23-12 record competing as an independent. They’ve shown flashed of greatness this season, such as knocking off ranked opponents like No. 25 DePaul.
“Their schedule is always going to be tough because they’re an independent,” Smith said. “Their coach goes out and gets them the toughest teams to play so they can get some NCAA tourney recognition.”
The Lancers also have the talent to go along with their impressive record. Freshman Megan Baltzell is hitting .379 and slugging a team high .728. She also has seven home runs and 27 RBIs and has started every game for Longwood in her first year playing. Sure to be pitching one of the games for the Lancers will be their ace Ashley Cornell, who holds a 2.83 ERA with a team-best 7-3 record.
“They’re certainly a force to be reckoned with, just nobody knows about them because of their size,” Smith said. “Where Longwood surprises people is with their offense. They have a very nice lineup.”
South Carolina is just looking to get back to its winning ways after losing nine of the last 11 games. Winthrop looked to be a good start, as the Gamecocks scored more runs in that game than they did in their previous nine combined. It was also the team’s first mercy rule win since March 2 against Maine.
“Keeping our focus for the rest of the year is going to involve a couple of things,” Smith said. “You have to have a short memory. I tell the girls all the time, every game counts as one. No matter who you’re playing, it all counts as one win.”
Coach Smith says her offense is deep enough that she is not worried about the recent struggles at the plate. Five of the Gamecocks starters are hitting more than .300. Two — Lauren Lackey and Samie Garcia — are hitting more than .400. Both have been hitting consistently at the top of the order this season.