The Palmetto Series between the South Carolina and Clemson baseball teams has been nothing short of electric over the past few years, and this year was no different. The Tigers entered Friday's game undefeated and ready for another heated rivalry, but lost the first game at Founders Park. However, Clemson managed to take the series with back to back wins in Greenville and Clemson.
Game one featured one of the best pitching performances Gamecock fans will see all year. Adam Hill tossed another masterful game, giving up two earned runs on two hits while striking out 14 over seven innings. Despite his great numbers, Hill had no run support to secure the win. The Gamecocks found themselves down 2-1 in the eighth inning when pinch hitter Matt Williams hit a solo home run to tie the game up. The very next inning, TJ Hopkins hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to give the Gamecocks a 3-2 victory.
The Gamecocks were unable to carry that walk-off momentum in Greenville on Saturday, as they produced just one run on seven hits. Two Clemson home runs and strong pitching lead the Tigers to tie the series with a 5-1 win.
Game three at Doug Kingsmore Stadium proved to be the deciding game for the fourth year in a row. The Gamecocks found themselves down early again, but this time the mountain was a lot steeper. John Gilreath gave up six runs in three and two-thirds innings pitched Sunday afternoon, allowing the Tigers to gain some ground at home. However, the Gamecocks battled back with a Hopkins three-run homer to make things close.
After giving up a home run in the bottom half of the sixth, the Gamecocks found themselves down 7-4 but were determined to not go down without a fight. Down to their final chance in the top of the ninth, the Gamecocks tied the game at seven behind an RBI double from LT Tolbert and a Chris Cullen sacrifice fly.
That joy for the Gamecocks was short-lived after giving up a walk in the bottom of the ninth. Clemson left fielder Drew Wharton hit a deep fly ball over Gamecock right fielder Carlos Cortes resulting in a triple and the game-winning run for the Tigers.
After the game, head coach Mark Kingston focused on what he learned from his baseball team rather than the result.
"I learned a lot about my baseball team today," Kingston said. "I learned that if when we fell behind six-nothing, we aren't gonna give up to anybody, at any time."
His message to his team after the game was typical of the moment, telling his guys to keep their heads up and focus on the good things they did to get back in the game.
The Gamecocks travel to Charlotte Tuesday to take on Appalachian State in search of a win after losing four of their last five games.