USC softball caps perfect weekend, wins 8th straight game

Behind a career day from sophomore shortstop Krystan White, South Carolina (8-1) completed a perfect weekend in the Carolina Classic with a 9-1, six-inning victory over Winthrop on Sunday afternoon at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.

White went 3-for-4 with five RBIs, both career bests, while hitting a home run and the game-ending hit in the sixth. The Gamecocks, winners of eight straight games, had consecutive RBI doubles in the first from juniors Victoria Williams and Kaylea Snaer.

USC starter Jessica Elliott (5-0) struck out three and allowed three hits in four innings of work.

Earlier Sunday, the Gamecocks defeated Longwood 2-0 behind junior pitcher Nickie Blue and timely hitting from freshman outfielder Kennedy Clark.

Blue (3-1) tossed her first shutout of the year, scattering eight hits while striking out six. Clark had a pair of RBI singles.

“It was a really a great team weekend,” head coach Beverly Smith said. “Everybody got to go in and play, and our level of play didn’t change. Krystan White was a perfect example of that today. She had a huge day in her first start of the season. And the pitchers got good work in there this weekend.”

South Carolina wraps up its homestand at 5 p.m. Tuesday with a game against Coastal Carolina.

This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 7:45 PM with the headline "USC softball caps perfect weekend, wins 8th straight game."