Shortstop Amber Curtis doubled home Debralee Troesh with two outs in the sixth inning to break open a scoreless game and propel 19th-ranked South Carolina to a 1-0 victory over San Diego State on Friday afternoon in the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
The Aztecs played the Gamecocks even through five innings behind the strong pitching performance of senior Sandra Durazo. A native of Granada Hills, Calif., Durazo limited South Carolina to four hits and just one walk while striking out six.
South Carolina also received a strong outing from Stacey Johnson. Johnson pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits in picking up her fourth victory of the season.
The Aztecs best opportunity to score came in the sixth inning when Tashie Aguinaga collected her second hit of the afternoon to open the frame. But following a sacrifice, the Aztecs recorded two ground outs to end the frame.
After getting out of the jam, South Carolina posted the only run of the afternoon in the bottom of the inning. Following a strike out, Troesh walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Curtis than doubled to center field, scoring Troesh.
South Carolina improves to 9-7 on the season while San Diego State is now 6-5.
San Diego State continues play later tonight in the NFCA Leadoff Classic against defending national champion Oklahoma. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.
San Diego State 0 0 00 0 0 0 - 0 3 1South Carolina0 0 00 0 1 x - 1 4 1
Sandra Durazo and Brooke Johnson. Stacey Johnson and Adrienne Genovese. W - Johnson (4-3). L - Durazo (3-2). LOB - South Carolina 5, San Diego State 3. 2B - Curtis (1). 3B - none. HR - none. Time - 1:21. Attendance - na.