A four run seventh inning propelled Clemson past USC 5-2 Sunday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium to give the Tigers a 2-1 series victory over the Gamecocks. It’s the fifth time in the last six years Clemson has won the baseball version of the state championship. The Tigers improve to 9-2 while the Gamecocks fall to 7-4.
Inside Clemson’s win Sunday over USC
- The Gamecocks took a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the 7th inning. Brannon Jordan held the Tigers to 1 hit and 1 run before coming out after 5 innings.
- The Tigers got to Gamecock relievers Daniel Lloyd and Cam Tringali in the 7th. Lloyd was pulled after a pair of one-out singles. Tringali loaded the bases by hitting Davis Sharpe, and gave up the lead on a sac fly by Bryar Hawkins.
- James Parker broke the tie with a two run double to right center. He would later score on a single to left by Adam Hackenberg, sliding his hand in just under the tag of Dallas Beaver for an insurance run.
- All four Clemson runs scored before Gamecock coach Mark Kingston brought in Brett Kerry, who finished out the game with 1.1 innings of 1 hit work. Kingston said the fact Kerry threw 20 pitches Saturday limited his work load today, and they were hoping to get to the 8th before bringing him in.
- Clemson’s bullpen was outstanding behind starter Spencer Strider who was on a pitch limit and lifted after the 4th. Mat Clark followed and allowed 1 hit while striking out 4. Carson Spiers worked the final 2 innings and allowed 1 hit while striking out 1 and walking 1.
- USC was just 1-7 with runners in scoring position. And the Gamecocks were just 3-13 in advancement opportunities compared to Clemson’s 12-23.
- It wouldn’t be a USC-Clemson series without at least one bizarre moment. That came in the 6th when Clemson loaded the bases with no one out. Dylan Brewer lofted a short fly ball to left that Andrew Eyster dove for and got a glove on, only to see the ball roll out. The runners had to check up and the Gamecocks got the force out at home. At the same time, Brewer rounded first and ran past the baserunner, Hackenberg. The USC dugout caught that and appealed to the umpires. The review supported the Gamecocks’ claim and the play turned into a double-play. Sam Hall struck out to end the inning without Clemson scoring.
- Hackenberg and Parker each had 2 hits for Clemson. Parker and Hawkins each had 2 RBIs.
- The Gamecock bullpen allowed 8 earned runs in the series while Clemson’s gave up 5, and 4 of those came in Saturday’s loss. Overall, USC pitchers walked 14 and hit 2. Clemson pitchers walked 11 batters and hit 3 others.
- Clemson pitcher Sam Weatherly won the Bob Bradley Award as the Tigers’ series MVP.
- Leftfielder Andrew Eyster won the Tom Price Award as the Gamecocks’ series MVP.
- Sunday’s attendance was 5655 bringing the three day total to 22,883.
- Box Score
Monte Lee postgame press conference
Clemson players SS James Parker, RP Carson Spiers and RP Mat Clark postgame
USC coach Mark Kingston postgame
Gamecock 2nd baseman Noah Campbell postgame
