Gamecocks riding five-game win streak
After a successful weekend series at Fort Myers and a road victory on Wednesday at Charlotte, things seem to be coming together for the South Carolina softball team.
Now the team will put its five-game win streak on the line at home against Elon in a doubleheader on Saturday, but coach Beverly Smith is more focused on the experience gained in those wins than the streak itself.
"We played Michigan State in the [Florida Gulf Coast University Tournament] Championship," Smith said. "Michigan State was a very good hitting team with two solid pitchers, and we really came out of the game swinging the bats, and that's what I was really pleased with."
The offense has been a strong point for the Gamecocks of late. They brought home 11 runs in the victory against Michigan State, as well as 10 runs in an earlier outing against Georgetown in the tournament.
In its victory over Charlotte on Wednesday, South Carolina was led by a 3-for-4 effort with two runs scored by Hannah Milks. Samie Garcia also went 2-for-3, with her second home run of the year, along with two runs scored.
But the production on offense wasn't the only thing Smith was happy to see, as a come-from-behind victory over Villanova in the second game against them gave the Gamecocks confidence should they find themselves in that situation again.
"They've been there now, and they know they can do it," Smith said. "It's a reality, so it was a great win for us and a great momentum shift going forward."
As the team prepares to face Elon, it will need to keep the bats hot. The Phoenix have been strong in their pitching this season, with Lauren Taylor being named the Southern Conference Pitcher of the Week and Erin O'Shea having a complete game two-hit shutout in the last game against Dayton.
"They've got a couple of left-handed pitchers, and we haven't seen a lot of lefty pitchers this year," Smith said. "That always mixes things up a little bit, but Elon is well-coached, and I expect them to be a good opponent for us."
There's also the issue of rest, considering Elon will have gone without playing a game since Feb. 20, while USC has played six games since the Feb. 18, two more than the Phoenix. Considering the nature of Elon's play, it could be a factor over the course of two games.
"Elon has always been a scrappy opponent," Smith said. "They're never out of the game, and I'm expecting them to come in here and be really good competition for us."