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CLEMSON — South Carolina softball desperately needed a win.
The Gamecocks (24-20) were on a four-game losing streak and had lost eight of their last 10. But South Carolina regained its mojo in its 3-1 win against Clemson on April 14 at McWhorter Stadium.
"We leave feeling with a little bit more belief in who we are that we can beat really good teams," South Carolina second-year coach Ashley Chastain Woodard said. "It was a really great program win for us, and obviously, feels good to be here in Clemson to win."
Ace pitcher Jori Heard (7-8) found her groove again to hold Clemson (27-17) to one run after the Tigers were coming off a four home-run performance in their last game against Pitt on April 12.
She benefited the most from this win after facing immense trouble during South Carolina's losing streak, including giving up four runs in back-to-back games against Florida.
Heard pitched all seven innings vs. Clemson, allowing just three hits, including a seventh-inning home run. It was her third homer allowed in her last three games, but she still earned her first win since April 3.
"She's just nails. She's not rattled by anything," Chastain Woodard said. "She has so much belief in herself, and she really is just like, 'Give me the ball, and we can win.'"
South Carolina also matched its run total against Clemson with what the Gamecocks did against Florida in their three-game home series. Tori Ensley hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the first inning, and Jamie Mackay crushed a solo home run in the seventh.
MORE: South Carolina's Shane Beamer reminded biggest critic is his 12- year-old son
South Carolina has played the second-toughest schedule in the college softball and has the 13th toughest schedule remaining, based on opponent winning percentage. But the Gamecocks are ranked in the top 30 in RPI, which should help their chances of making the NCAA Tournament for a fourth straight year.
Still, Woodard knows her team needs to play better to secure the postseason bid. The Gamecocks' next challenge is against Missouri on the road in a three-game series on April 17-19.
South Carolina is just 5-4 on the road this season, including 2-4 against conference opponents, but is banking on this nonconference road win to carry over for the team to win its first SEC series.
"It gives us a lot of confidence to go out there and know that we can win on the road at any point," Heard said.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina softball win vs Clemson comes at perfect time
Continue reading...
The Gamecocks (24-20) were on a four-game losing streak and had lost eight of their last 10. But South Carolina regained its mojo in its 3-1 win against Clemson on April 14 at McWhorter Stadium.
"We leave feeling with a little bit more belief in who we are that we can beat really good teams," South Carolina second-year coach Ashley Chastain Woodard said. "It was a really great program win for us, and obviously, feels good to be here in Clemson to win."
Ace pitcher Jori Heard (7-8) found her groove again to hold Clemson (27-17) to one run after the Tigers were coming off a four home-run performance in their last game against Pitt on April 12.
She benefited the most from this win after facing immense trouble during South Carolina's losing streak, including giving up four runs in back-to-back games against Florida.
Heard pitched all seven innings vs. Clemson, allowing just three hits, including a seventh-inning home run. It was her third homer allowed in her last three games, but she still earned her first win since April 3.
"She's just nails. She's not rattled by anything," Chastain Woodard said. "She has so much belief in herself, and she really is just like, 'Give me the ball, and we can win.'"
South Carolina also matched its run total against Clemson with what the Gamecocks did against Florida in their three-game home series. Tori Ensley hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the first inning, and Jamie Mackay crushed a solo home run in the seventh.
MORE: South Carolina's Shane Beamer reminded biggest critic is his 12- year-old son
South Carolina has played the second-toughest schedule in the college softball and has the 13th toughest schedule remaining, based on opponent winning percentage. But the Gamecocks are ranked in the top 30 in RPI, which should help their chances of making the NCAA Tournament for a fourth straight year.
Still, Woodard knows her team needs to play better to secure the postseason bid. The Gamecocks' next challenge is against Missouri on the road in a three-game series on April 17-19.
South Carolina is just 5-4 on the road this season, including 2-4 against conference opponents, but is banking on this nonconference road win to carry over for the team to win its first SEC series.
"It gives us a lot of confidence to go out there and know that we can win on the road at any point," Heard said.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina softball win vs Clemson comes at perfect time
Continue reading...
