CLEMSON — Jori Heard, who has one of the best ERAs in the SEC, proved it against Clemson on Tuesday night at McWhorter Stadium. The senior kept the Tigers at-bay all night in a complete game, 3-1, victory.

The win allowed the Gamecocks to even the season series with Clemson, who beat South Carolina in Columbia on March 25. USC got an two-run hit from Tori Ensley in the first inning and a solo home run from Jamie MacKay in the seventh to secure the victory.

Macey Cintron’s solo home run to centerfield in the bottom of the seventh prevented Clemson from being shutout for the third time this season and the first time since Feb. 13.

“It was one of those nights where you are hitting the ball hard, but you are hitting right at people,” Clemson head coach John Rittman said. “Marian Collins hit three balls really hard at people, and then we got an opportunity there with second and third with two outs. (Mac) Pavese hits a ball up the middle that hits off the pitchers glove, and I thought if it does not hit the glove it is going up the middle and we tie the game.”

The Tigers (27-17) had no answer for Heard. At one point, the Gamecocks’ ace retired 13 straight batters. She also got help from her friends in the outfield, as Lilio and MacKay both made great plays in left and right field to keep Clemson off the scoreboard.

The USC infielders did their part, too, as Clemson continuously put the ball in play, but each time the Gamecocks made a better play. The Tigers had just three base runners all night. Though Heard struck out one Tiger, she walked just one.

She allowed just three hits all night against a Clemson team that hit nine home runs in their last two games against Pitt.

“Hats off to South Carolina. They pitched well, played good defense and got the timely hits,” Rittman said.

The Gamecocks (24-20) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning after Ensley delivered a two-run base hit to centerfield with one out. Her base hit scored Rodi and Shelton, who reached on a fielder’s choice and drew a walk.

The Tigers had an opportunity to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kylee Johnson drew a lead-off walk, while Jamison Brockenbrough singled through the right side with one out to put runners on first and second.

Rittman decided to punt both runners over with a Kiley Channell sacrifice. However, Pavese was unable to come up with the clutch hit, as she grounded out to the pitcher to end the threat.

“If you watch their pitcher in the last game, she does not throw well (to first base),” Rittman said. “There was a thought process there, early, to show bunt. Then we wiped it off and Kiley missed the wipe off. She still got the bunt to the pitcher, which we were planning on doing on the first pitch, but the second pitch, it a happens sometimes.

“She got the sign and did not see the wipe off. She did execute the ball back to the pitcher. Jori has had problems throwing over to first base and we were trying to get that to happen. She just bunted a little bit too hard.”

MacKay put the game away with a blast to right field to extend their lead to 3-0.

UP NEXT

Clemson will host Virginia in Game 1 of a big three-game series in ACC play on Friday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.