Baseball
NO.7 CLEMSON SWEEPS PALMETTO SERIES WITH 8-2 WIN OVER GAMECOCKS IN COLUMBIA
- 2025-03-03 12:48:46
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COLUMBIA, SC - Another exciting pitchers' duel to wrap up the Palmetto Series! The game was scoreless until the 5th, when Jarrell hit a leadoff single, and Purify drove him in with a single. The Tigers would go 1-10 with runners in scoring position, however, and the game would remain 1-0 until the top of the 8th when DH Collin Priest crushed his second HR of the season to right field with 2 outs to make it 4-0. The Gamecocks responded in the bottom of the 8th with 2 runs and might have scored more if not for a wild play. With the score 4-1, it looked like the Tigers would turn a double play to end the inning, but Purify's throw to first was wild. Gaffney retrieved the errant throw and slung it to second but the first runner, who was out on the force at second, stayed on the ground at the bag and interfered with the play. While this was going on, a run scored, and because the runner scored before the interference call at second, the inning ended with a 4-2 Clemson lead.
The Tigers, however, added some insurance in the top of the 9th with a two-out rally. Cam came through with a clutch 2-out single to score 2 runs and make it 6-2, and Gaffney did the same to make it 7-2. A wild pitch would make it 8-2, and that was more than the Tigers needed.
LeGuernic had a terrible season debut against Ole Miss in the Tigers' only loss, but he sure has bounced back! He had a great start last Sunday and pitched 4 scoreless innings in front of a hostile crowd in Columbia. Joe Allen has been one of the pleasant surprises this season. He came in to start the 5th inning and struck out 6 straight batters, earning his first win of the season. He is now 6-0 in his 3-year Clemson career coming out of the pen! Closer Mahlstedt started the 8th, and after giving up the 2 runs, Bakich gave Garris his first appearance of the season to start the 9th. He struck out his first two batters and went 1-2-3 to close the books on the Gamecocks.
It's the Tigers' third sweep in four years over the Gamecocks! Darden was named Bob Bradley MVP, although I voted for Cam. I said that I would vote for Darden if Cam didn't get a hit with 2 outs in the 9th, but he did, which led to an 8-2 lead rather than 4-2 going into the bottom of the 9th. Cam also had the big double yesterday for the first run of the game and scored the second run from 2nd base with great base running. He had 2 hits on Friday as well. But I am fine with Darden winning it. He was magnificent on the mound yesterday!
The 11-1 Tigers will play USC Upstate on Tuesday in Greenville and host PC on Wednesday. Post-game interviews are below!
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