CLEMSON — South Carolina scored three runs in the top of 12th inning to knock off No. 13 Clemson, 6-4, Wednesday at McWhorter Stadium in Clemson.

With the scored tied, 3-3, the Gamecocks loaded the bases with one out in the 12th when Denver Bryant scored Carlie Henderson on a fielder’s choice for the go-ahead run. The play was originally called out by home plate umpire Jeremy Carter, but replay overturned his call.

USC then added a couple of insurance runs when Riley Biampied singled up the middle for a 6-3 lead.

The win was the 23rd-ranked Gamecocks first over Clemson in the history of the series. Clemson won the first five meetings. The two rivals will play again on April 9 (7 p.m.) in Columbia.

The Gamecocks (22-7) scored two runs in the top of the first inning thanks to a throwing error from Clemson first baseman Alex Brown. The error allowed South Carolina to keep the inning alive, as Jen Cummings had an RBI hit down the rightfield line with one out for a 1-0 lead.

USC made it 2-0 when Karley Shelton grounded out to second, allowing Reagan Marchant to come home with the second run. Both runs were unearned.

The Tigers (21-7) tied the game in the bottom of the first inning when McKenzie Clark sent Alana Vawter’s pitch over the leftfield wall for a two-run home run.

Vawter pitched the whole game for South Carolina. She allowed just three runs on seven hits in earning her eighth win of the season.

The extra inning loss was Clemson’s fourth this season, its third to SEC opponents. They lost to Georgia and Tennessee in extra innings earlier this year.

Wednesday’s 12-inning game was the longest in Clemson’s brief softball history.

The Gamecocks grabbed the lead back in the top of the third after Cummings homered to left field with two outs.

Clemson loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning and tied the game at 3-3. With one out, Alia Logoleo smacked a sacrifice fly to deep centerfield, allowing Kylee Johnson to come home with the tying run. Johnson singled to centerfield to lead off the inning.

Cummings home run was the only run charged to Clemson starter Regan Spencer. The senior allowed just four hits in five innings of work, while striking out two and walking one.

Millie Thompson came on in relief in the sixth inning. However, in the seventh inning, after the Gamecocks got Marissa Gonzalez to second base with one out, Thompson struck out Giulia Desiderio and Brooke Blankenship to end the threat.

The Tigers had an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning as Johnson drove a pitch to deep rightfield, but the ball was caught on the warning track by Carlie Henderson to end the inning.

Clemson’s Grace Hiller doubled to left centerfield with one out in the 10th and Johnson drew a walk to put runners on first and second. However, Brown hit into a fielder’s choice at short and Arielle Oda popped up in foul territory to end the threat.

The Tigers finally scored in the bottom of the 12th on a Brown RBI, but it was a little too late.

Thompson, who pitched brilliantly in relief, was charged with the loss. She pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. She fanned seven and walked none.

OUT

Clemson All-American Valerie Cagle missed her fourth straight game, as she recovers from being sick last week. Julia Knowler also missed the game due to illness, as well.

UP NEXT

The Tigers get back into ACC play on Friday when they travel to Charlottesville, Va., to take on Virginia in Game 1 of a three-game series. First-pitch is set for 6 p.m.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!