Clemson takes Game 1 of rivalry series vs. South Carolina

Clemson entered Friday night’s game against South Carolina without its ace and without momentum after dropping four straight games.

It’s safe to say the Tigers have some momentum now.

Clemson got an outstanding start from sophomore Austin Gordon and did plenty enough offensively to beat the Gamecocks 5-2 in Game 1 of the three-game series.

Clemson led 4-0 after three innings and was in control throughout. With the win, the Tigers improve to 5-4 on the year. USC falls to 9-1 with the loss.

“The energy at Doug Kingsmore tonight was awesome. … Truly a 10^th man, so that was really cool to see,” Clemson coach Erik Bakich said. “Gordo really set the tone – pitched very well. Just had some good stuff.”

Leadoff hitter Cooper Ingle got Clemson on the board early, hitting a solo homer on the first pitch he saw off South Carolina ace Will Sanders. The Tigers pushed their lead to 2-0 later in the first when Cam Cannarella drove in Blake Wright with an RBI double.

Cannarella was 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI in his first game against the Gamecocks.

Clemson added a run each in the second, third and sixth on a passed ball, fielder’s choice and solo home run by Gavin Abrams. The sophomore Abrams hit a pinch-hit no-doubter off of Sanders.

“Offensively, it’s a great tone setter by Cooper Ingle to lead off the first inning, first pitch with a home run,” Bakich said. “It seemed like throughout the night there was just a lot of quality contact.”

South Carolina’s only run of the game came in the seventh on a Talmadge LeCroy RBI single. The Gamecocks had runners on first and third with one out later in the inning when Clemson transfer Dylan Brewer pinch hit. Brewer bounced into a double play to end the frame, much to the delight of Clemson fans in the crowd.

South Carolina brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Will McGillis grounded out to end the game.

Jackson Lindley earned the win for the Tigers, allowing one run in 2 1/3 innings of relief. Casey Tallent pitched the final two innings of the game without allowing an earned run.

“It’s the best rivalry in college baseball, and it’s just as electric as I remembered it 21 years ago,” Bakich said. “Sanders is a heck of a pitcher. … They’re a very good team. There’s a lot of weekend left, but it feels good in any weekend to get the first one and set the tone the way we did.”