What started in February with a pair of exciting, walk-off wins by USC ended Tuesday night with a dominating win by Clemson. The Tigers salvaged the third game of the annual series with the Gamecocks 7-2 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. This game was the make up of the rained out game February 26th.
‘the Gamecocks had early opportunities but could not cash in. They left eight on base thru the first four scoreless innings. Clemson also had a chance for early runs but left the bases loaded in the third.
The offenses finally got going in the fifth. Wes Clarke drew first blood for the Gamecocks with a solo homer, his 19th of the season and fourth of the month.
Clemson did not have a hit off Gamecock starter CJ Weins or reliever Daniel Lloyd thru four innings. So, the Tigers manufactured runs in the fifth off of a walk and a hit batsman. Sam Hall put down a bunt that Lloyd fielded and threw wild of third. Both runners scored for a 2-1 Clemson lead. James Parker later singled to make it 3-1.
The Tigers added another run in the sixth for a 4-1 Clemson lead. It stayed that way until Jeff Heinrich homered for the Gamecocks in the top of the 8th to make it a 4-2 game.
Clemson responded with a three run bottom of the 8th. Dylan Brewer led off with a homer. After a pair of walks and two outs, Kier Meredith singled home a run. And then a double-steal led to Max Wagner stealing home.
PJ Labriola earned his first career win with 0.2 innings of relief. Nick Hoffman picked up his fourth save. Lloyd took the loss.
Parker won the Bob Bradley Award as the series MVP for Clemson. Andrew Eyster took home the Tom Price Award as the Gamecocks’ series MVP.
Clemson improves to 23-21 and breaks a three game losing streak. The Tigers will play at Florida State this weekend. The Gamecocks fall to 28-18 and will play at Kentucky this weekend.
