USC Wins Regional, Eliminates Clemson

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Adam Matthews’ RBI single keyed a three-run first inning, and Jordan Montgomery held Clemson to five hits in nearly seven innings as two-time defending national champion South Carolina won its 19th straight NCAA tournament game, wrapping up the Columbia Regional with a 4-3 victory Sunday. Not that it was easy. The rival Tigers (35-28) cut things to 4-3 in the ninth and had the winning run at the plate. But Brad Felder flied out to the warning track to end the game. Montgomery (5-1) went 6 2/3 innings and held Clemson in check, retiring 12 straight during one stretch. Tyler Webb finished for his third save. David Haselden (4-2) couldn’t get out of the first for Clemson and took the loss. (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)