S. Carolina shocks No. 1Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C. - South Carolina made a statement Wednesday night beating the top-ranked Clemson Tigers. But the Gamecocks better look out - more Tigers are on the way. <br> <br> The Gamecocks (29-8) beat Clemson 8-6. They&#39;ll host LSU this weekend before meeting Clemson (31-5) again next week in Columbia. <br> <br> ``It&#39;s a tremendous week for us. It&#39;s five games against the Tigers,&#39;&#39; South Carolina coach Ray Tanner said. <br> <br> Steve Thomas delivered the knockout punch for the Gamecocks in round one of five. He had a homer, the game-winning double and three RBIs to lead South Carolina, who scored at least a run in the first five innings and held on late. <br> <br> Freshman Aaron Rawl (1-1) got his first career win giving up one run in 3 1/3 innings. Blake Taylor picked up his Southeastern Conference-leading ninth save as the pair held Clemson to just one run over final five innings. <br> <br> ``You&#39;re probably better off against Clemson using a couple different guys,&#39;&#39; Tanner said. ``They have a great offensive team.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> South Carolina used a three-run fifth to go up for good at 7-5. Thomas&#39; double scored Kevin Melillo and Drew Meyer after Landon Powell scored on an error. Thomas was 2-for-4. <br> <br> ``We got real behind on the mound ... and when you work from behind against a good hitting team they&#39;re going to end up hitting,&#39;&#39; Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. <br> <br> The Tigers used five different pitchers but couldn&#39;t slow the Gamecocks early. <br> <br> The Gamecocks scored a run in each of the first two innings on solo homers by Thomas and Brian Buscher to take a 2-0 lead. <br> <br> Clemson&#39;s Michael Johnson then hit his 16th homer of the year to cut South Carolina&#39;s lead to 2-1. It&#39;s his fourth home run in three games. <br> <br> The Tigers had won two straight over South Carolina. All three games between the in-state rivals this year have been decided two runs or less. <br> <br> ``It was really disappointing. We don&#39;t like to lose to them,&#39;&#39; Clemson coach Jack Legett said. <br> <br> Steve Reba (8-1) is normally Clemson&#39;s ace starter but came on in relief in the third when the Tigers trailed 3-2. He picked up the loss after giving up four hits and three runs but none of them earned. <br> <br> ``Our plan was to try not to use him unless we had to,&#39;&#39; Leggett said. <br> <br> Tanner says the Gamecocks now face one of the hottest teams in the country in LSU. But for now, South Carolina is enjoying the Clemson win. <br> <br> ``We&#39;re definitely excited about beating the number on team in the country,&#39;&#39; Taylor said. ``It just helps us get to that top eight seed.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> That would guarantee South Carolina hosting a NCAA regional, which Taylor says is the team&#39;s main goal. <br> <br> ``If we can come out of here with four wins out of five&#39;&#39; against the Tiger teams, Taylor said. ``I don&#39;t think you can ask for anything better.&#39;&#39;