USC hitters were put to sleep by Clemson pitching Friday night managing just one hit. Saturday was a different day at the plate for the Gamecocks as they drilled a dozen hits off five Clemson pitchers in an 8-5 win at Segra Park to even the series 1-1. The deciding game will be Sunday at 2:00 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Saturday’s game drew an announced crowd of 8996, largest in the history of the rivalry.
Inside the Gamecocks’ game two victory
- USC built a 4-2 lead after 4 innings, then added 2 runs in the 7th and 1 in the 8th for what appeared to be a comfortable 7-2 lead.
- Clemson fought back with 2 runs in the 8th, and the Gamecocks countered with a run in the top of the 9th for an 8-4 lead.
- Things got tight in the bottom of the 9th as the Tigers loaded the bases with 1 out after a Brett Kerry walk. That brought the tying run to the plate in pinch-hitter Drew Donathan, just his second at-bat of the season. He struck out looking on a 1-2 pitch. Kerry lost Elijah Henderson on a 3-2 pitch to force in a run, but induced a fly ball to left from Kier Meredith to end the game.
- Five Gamecocks had two-hit games, including Jeff Henrich who had 3 RBIs…one in the 2nd, one in 4th and one in the 7th.
- Wes Clarke hit his 5th homer of the season for the Gamecocks in the 4th, and Clemson’s Davis Sharpe hit his second of the series and the season in the 8th.
- Clemson managed just 5 hits and they came from three players. Meredith and Bryar Hawkins had two hits each.
- Thomas Farr (2-0) started for the Gamecocks and allowed 2 hits and 2 runs, 1 earned, over 5 innings. He did throw three wild pitches, two in the 1st inning that led to a run. TJ Shook, Graham Lawson and Kerry finished up with Kerry earning his 1st save.
- Sharpe (1-1) started for Clemson and was lifted in the 4th after giving up 4 runs on 6 hits. Tiger pitchers walked 6 and hit 2.
- Sunday’s finale will feature RHP Brannon Jordan (1-0 1.64) on the mound for USC against RHP Spencer Strider (0-0 0.00) for Clemson.
- Box Score
USC postgame press conference (Mark Kingston, Bryant Bowen, Thomas Farr)
Clemson postgame press conference (Monte Lee & Davis Sharpe)
