Jacksonville State and South Carolina Upstate were locked in a pitchers' duel until the Spartans broke it open in the fourth inning, eliminating the Gamecocks from the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional with an 8-0 score behind five perfect innings by Anna Miller.
Junior Tiffany Harbin and Miller went toe-to-toe in the circle into the fourth inning, when the Spartans (42-11) became the first team to dent the scoreboard. After Harbin had retired nine in a row going into the home half of the fourth, Upstate got three-straight hits to start the frame and then used three JSU errors to plate four unearned runs in a five-run inning and take a 5-0 lead in the game.
The Gamecocks (30-27) couldn't get anything going against Miller, who threw her second no-hitter of the season and the Spartans' third as a team. JSU put the ball in play but hit several right at the Upstate defense.
Miller (6-1) continued to get outs in the circle, retiring all 15 batters she faced. She struck out four batters. Harbin (17-15) allowed five runs, only one earned, on four hits in 3.2 innings. She struck out a pair and didn't walk anyone. Junior Savanna Hennings threw the final inning, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk.
The Gamecocks wrap up the 2013 season as Ohio Valley Conference Tournament champions and the fifth NCAA Regional team JSU has had in the past six seasons.