For the 1st time since the Y2K scare, Clemson has swept the season series over South Carolina. This past weekend, was a statement series for Clemson after the Tigers had a subpar year in 2021. It was important for Clemson to at least be competitive in the series, they were more than competitive they were clearly better. The Tigers came into the series unbeaten on the young 2022 campaign, but those wins didn't exactly hold much value.
Clemson came into the series having swept a pair of three gamers with Indiana and Hartford. They had single game wins over in-state foes USC-Upstate and College Of Charleston. However, on the season's biggest stage thus far Clemson may have proven that 2021 was aberration.
The Tigers took the series opener 3-2 on Friday at Founders Park in Columbia. Bryar Hawkins had 2 hits and drove in one, Cooper Ingle reached base 5 times. Clemson got one in the 3rd, then came through in the clutch scoring one in the 8th and another in the 9th. Clemson trailed 2-1 up until they tied it in the 8th. South Carolina got 1 in the 1st and another in the 6th. It was a gem of a pitchers duel, as Clemson's Mack Anglin and South Carolina's Will Sanders both started the game and had great performances. However, neither of those two got a decision on Friday. Anglin went 6 innings allowing just 2 hits and 2 runs. He would exit trailing the game, Sanders went 7 scattering 6 hits, allowing just one run while striking out a career best 14. John Gilreath would get the loss for SC allowing what would be the winning run in the 9th. Alex Edmondson got the win for Clemson, working 1 and 1/3 scoreless innings.
Saturday's game was a "no-doubter" as Clemson trounced the Gamecocks 10-2 at Segra Park in Columbia. Clemson pounded out 10 hits in the game. Bryar Hawkins, Cooper Ingle and Max Wagner all had two hits each. Left Fielder Char Fairey and Shortstop Benjamin Blackwell drove in 2 runs apiece. Nick Hoffman got the win on the hill for The Tigers, he went 5 innings, scattering 5 hits and allowing just one run and didn't issue a walk.
Clemson would break out the brooms on Sunday at Doug Kingsmore. The Tigers took the series finale 5-2. Clemson got 4 in the 4th and never trailed the entire game. SC would battle back though scoring one in the 5th and one in the 6th. That cut the Tigers lead to 3-2, but Clemson added two insurance runs in the 8th. Nick Clayton had a nice start on the hill for Clemson, but it resulted in a no-decision. Clayton went 4 2/3 allowed 4 hits and one run, while striking out 4 and walking just one. Jackson Lindley got the win for Clemson going 1 2/3 scoreless innings allowing just two hits and didn't issue a walk. The Atlanta Braves World Champions Tour made its rescheduled stop in Clemson for the game Sunday.
Clemson is now 11-0 and is ranked as high as 18th in one poll. The Tigers have a busy week this week. They host East Tennessee State for a 4 PM 1st pitch Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore. They then take on Michigan State Wednesday night at Fluor Field in Greenville. That game is set for a 6 PM 1st pitch. Northeastern then comes to Tigertown for a 3 game set this weekend, that series is set to open Friday at 4PM.
