South Carolina softball defeated Clemson 3-1 on the road at McWhorter Stadium Tuesday night, beating its in-state rivals behind a dominant performance from senior pitcher Jori Heard.The win ended a four-game skid for the Gamecocks, while also ending the Palmetto Series in a tie.
Junior pitcher Sierra Maness started her 21st game of the season for the Tigers.
South Carolina loaded up the bases quickly in the first inning with a walk by redshirt senior left fielder Quincee Lilio, a hit-by-pitch by junior second baseman Karley Shelton and a single by senior right fielder Jamie Mackay.
Junior center fielder Tori Ensley made no mistake, singling to the outfield to score the two opening runs for the Gamecocks.
Heard got the start for the Gamecocks, her 12th of the season. A single from Tigers first baseman Mac Pavese was her only blemish of the first inning.
Neither team would generate significant traffic on the base paths until the top of the fourth inning.
South Carolina loaded the bases with just one out. However, Clemson was able to get out of the inning after a fielder's choice out at the plate and a Shelton groundout left the bases juiced.
Heard continued her strong start, posting consecutive 1-2-3 innings in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings, throwing just 54 pitches through five.
Another walk to Lilio gave the Gamecock runners on the corners with two outs in the top of the sixth. Maness, who ended the inning with 128 pitches thrown, induced a groundout from senior first baseman Arianna Rodi to maintain the Tigers’ two-run deficit.
Tiger junior outfielder Kylee Johnson walked to start the sixth inning — Heard’s first baserunner allowed since the first frame. After a flyout from right fielder Taylor Pipkins, senior center fielder Jamison Brockenbrough hit a single to put two on for Clemson. After a sacrifice bunt from junior infielder Kiley Channell, Anderson threw out Pavese on a 1-6-3 putout to keep the Tigers scoreless.
Mackay hit her fifth home run of the season in the seventh inning to give the Gamecocks a 3-0 lead. Maness remained in the game in the seventh, with her 148 pitches being the most she has ever thrown in a college game.
Tiger sophomore designated pitcher Macey Cintron responded with a home run, plating the Tigers' first run of the day and cutting the Gamecocks' lead to 3-1. Cintron’s homer would be Clemson’s only damage of the inning, however, with Heard getting Tiger freshman third baseman Sarah Breaux to pop out, securing the Gamecocks’ victory.
Heard tossed a complete game against the Tigers, holding the rivals to just three hits on the afternoon.
What’s next?
South Carolina will host a three-game set against Missouri from Friday to Sunday. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Friday, and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.