USC softball wins behind combined no-hitter

South Carolina (14-2) blanked Western Carolina (11-5) 1-0 on Wednesday at Carolina Softball Stadium at Beckham Field.

Junior pitchers Nickie Blue (4-2) and Jessica Elliott combined on the no-hit effort, with Blue tossing the first five innings, striking out six, and Elliott taking the final two, fanning two. It was South Carolina’s first no-hitter since Feb. 12, 2011 when Julie Sarratt kept Coastal Carolina off the board.

“Nickie and (Jessica) together were dominating,” coach Beverly Smith said. “They were both very efficient and attacked the plate. I’m just really proud of both of them. You can’t have a no-hitter without good defense. Western Carolina is a very good hitting team.”

The Gamecocks got their lone run in the fourth when Ansley Ard doubled home Taylor Williams.

“Ard had a really good at-bat, but it was Taylor’s at-bat that was the clutch one,” Smith said. “She drew the walk that allowed that RBI to happen.”

South Carolina hosts UConn, Kennesaw State and Michigan State this weekend in the Gamecock Invitational. KSU and UConn battle in the tournament’s first game on Friday at 1:30 p.m., with the Gamecocks facing the KSU Owls at 4 p.m. on Friday.

This story was originally published March 1, 2016 at 9:38 PM with the headline "USC softball wins behind combined no-hitter."