COLUMBIA, S.C. - The South Carolina Gamecocks scored six runs in the fifth inning to seal a 12-4 softball victory over Charleston Southern Tuesday, April 5 at Beckham Field. CSU had pulled to within two runs at 6-4, but USC's Samie Garcia ended the game with a three-run double.

The Buccaneers, playing their first of 10 straight away games, now hold a 16-22 record. South Carolina evens its record at 18-18.

Julie Sarratt (5-5) earned the victory, allowing three runs on two hits, both home runs, in four innings, while April Borchardt posted a one-inning save. Kimberly Hobbs drew the loss, yielding 12 runs, nine earned, on nine hits in four and one-thirds innings.

Jana Matthews and Jessica Brock both went deep for CSU, giving the Buccaneers eight home runs in five games at Beckham Field this season. Trea Steele added an RBI single, going 1-for-1 while walking and being hit by a pitch. Melissa Adams batted 1-for-1, scoring CSU's fourth run.

Three Gamecocks registered multiple hits, led by Garcia's 3-for-4 outing. Garcia drove in three runs, while Lauren Lackey batted 2-for-2 with three RBI. Garcia and Dana Hathorn scored two runs apiece.

The Gamecocks built a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, with both runs scoring after a CSU error with two outs. Dana Hathorn reached on the error, and Samie Garcia scored from second on the play. Lauren Lackey followed with an RBI single for a 2-0 lead. Sarratt popped out to end the inning.

Matthews led off the second inning with a long drive that cleared the fence in center field. The home run, Matthews' seventh of the season, sliced the deficit in half, to 2-1.Sarratt retired the next three batters in order to maintain the one-run lead.

Hobbs pitched a 1-2-3 second inning, and Sarratt followed suit in the top of the third.

South Carolina extended its lead to five with a four-run bottom of the third. Garcia led off with a bunt base hit, and advanced to third after an errant throw on a stolen base attempt. Milks reached on a fielder's choice, and Mendes drove in both Garcia and Milks with a triple. Hathorn then plated Mendes with a sacrifice fly. Brossart hit an RBI double for a 6-1 advantage.

The Bucs fought back in the top of the fourth inning, slicing the deficit two three on a two-run home run by Brock. Steele led off with a walk, and Sarratt sat down the next two batters, bringing up Brock. Brock blasted a 1-2 pitch deep to left for her third home run of the season, plating Steele to bring CSU to within three at 6-3.

A 1-2-3 Gamecock bottom of the fourth ensued. CSU then inched to within two runs at 6-4 by scoring once in the top of the fifth. Melissa Adams lined a single to left field and moved to second on a walk to Ari Tedesco. Steele singled up the middle, driving in Adams from second.

South Carolina ended the game by run-rule, winning 12-4 after scoring six runs in the fifth inning. Seven Gamecocks reached base in the inning, with just one out being recorded. Garcia drove a double off of relief pitcher Morgan Dowdy to clear the bases for the game's final three runs.

The Bucs will travel to Virginia for their next five games, beginning with a three-game Big South series at Liberty Friday, April 8 and Saturday April 9 and concluding with a doubleheader at Longwood Sunday. South Carolina returns to the diamond Wednesday, April 6, playing host to University of North Carolina at 4 p.m.