May 16, 2003
Texas A&M junior Lindsay Wilhelmson pitched a complete game one-hitter Friday to beat No. 20 South Carolina 5-0 at Hillenbrand Stadium on the campus of the University of Arizona. No. 22 A&M, the three-seed in the regional, defeated the second-seeded Gamecocks on the strength of solid defense and explosive hitting as they scored five times off of eight hits including home runs by catcher Selena Collins and shortstop Crystal Martin.
The Aggies struck early in the top of the first as Adrian Gregory set the pace with a 12-pitch at bat, that ended in a walk, to lead off the game. Gregory's perseverance at the plate paid off when senior Selena Collins stepped to the plate with one out and deposited the pitchers delivery over the left field wall giving the Aggies a 2-0 lead. The home run was Collins' 12th of the year, tying her for the team lead with Wilhelmson, and first since an April 12th round-tripper against Kansas in Lawrence.
Senior Cheryl Fowler added to the Aggie lead in the second inning when she hit a single through the right side scoring Martin who reached on a hit by pitch, stole second and advanced to third when Jennifer Davis grounded out to the pitcher. Martin's stolen base was her team-high 19th of the year.
Martin scored the Aggies' fourth run of the game in the sixth inning when she led of with her ninth home run of the year with a shot that just cleared the left field wall. A&M added their final run of the game when Fowler hit a single to left scoring Sherah Atkins from second. Atkins was pinch running for Jennifer Davis who doubled to left center.
Wilhelmson dominated the Gamecocks throughout the game as she kept them at bay forcing them to ground out fifteen times while allowing only one SC player to reach second base. The right-hander from North Richland Hills struck out two and did not allow a walk in the game.
Texas A&M advances in the regional to take on the one-seed Arizona Wildcats, who are also ranked first nationally, in a winners-bracket game at 4 p.m. (CST) on Saturday at Hillenbrand Stadium. Live audio and stats of tomorrows contest will be available on AggieAthletics.com.