Cole Zaffiro set a career-high with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings, but the one run he surrendered in the second frame proved the difference as No. 23 South Carolina edged out visiting Penn on Saturday, 1-0.
The two clubs combined for just six hits on the day.
David Shoemaker tossed 3 1/3 innings in relief for the Quakers, also posting a career-high in strikeouts with five. He walked just one and surrendered one hit.
The lone run of the afternoon came via a solo homer in the second inning.
The two clubs conclude their three-game set on Sunday.
In other local D-I action
North Florida 13, Villanova 11
A pair of five-run innings for the Osprey highlighted the day. The Wildcats carried a 10-8 lead into the seventh, but North Florida responded with a five spot and held on for the victory. Craig Larsen, Jack O'Reilly, and Collin Quintano each homered in the losing effort for Villanova. Larsen finished with three RBIs. Devin Rivera started for the Wildcats but failed to get out of the third inning, surrendering six runs on eight hits.
