Led by pitcher Regan Spencer, the No. 11 Clemson softball team shut out North Carolina 5-0 at McWhorter Stadium on Friday night.

Spencer, a senior, pitched 7.0 innings to secure the win in the first game of the conference series against the Tar Heels. Backed by her defense throughout the field, she let up just five hits for her time in the circle for a 0.45 ERA.

“Regan Spencer, just phenomenal in the circle,” head coach John Rittman said after the game. “Pitched her heart out tonight. Probably one of the best outings of her career, honestly, and it came at a big time.”

Spencer, a usual reliever on the mound, now has 39.1 innings pitched so far this season. With a 21-2 win-loss record, the Lexington, North Carolina, native boasts a career 1.17 ERA.

Rittman further highlighted Spencer’s success for the evening, crediting her experience and perseverance throughout her years as a Tiger.

“(Spencer is) a veteran. She’s experienced, and she’s been through some big games,” he said. “It’s just to see her come through tonight and have one of those awesome outings.”

At the plate, true freshman Kylee Johnson put up two of the five runs for the Tigers. Alex Brown, Arielle Oda and Maddie Moore also delivered for Clemson on offense for the win.

Now diving into ACC play, the Tigers (19-6, 3-1 ACC) will continue their series against North Carolina (20-5, 2-2 ACC) at Clemson’s McWhorter Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.