South Carolina treating Clemson 'just like an SEC series' this weekend
Though it’s not even March yet, this weekend will have a postseason type of atmosphere in South Carolina.
South Carolina and Clemson will meet for a three-game series, played at three different venues, starting Friday night. There’s always a lot on the line when it comes to this rivalry. But it feels the stakes are higher heading into this year’s edition of the series.
Both teams are off to good starts in 2024 and will be ranked inside the top 20 in the country. Whoever comes out on top this weekend will have the advantage of beating a solid contender on their resume.
“I think a lot of people nationally love it,” head coach Mark Kingston said. “You’re going to see two highly rated teams with storied traditions. You’re going to see some of the best players in the country compete in three venues in two cities. But it’s just everything you want. It’s high competition, it’s big fan bases, it’s a rivalry. It’s everything you’re looking for.”
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For South Carolina, the plan is to keep things in perspective and treat this just like an SEC series. The Gamecocks will face six conference foes that are currently ranked inside the top 25 later in the year. So facing the No. 10 Tigers this early will prove to be a good test for what’s to come.
“They’re a very talented team, top 10 in the country. And I feel like we’ve got to go in there and prepare like an SEC school because they are very respected and very talented over there,” Ethan Petry said.
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Outside of a blowout loss against Kennesaw State last Friday, Clemson has been playing some good ball. The Tigers are averaging more than eight runs per game with a pitching staff that’s progressing.
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“Obviously, they have a lot of talented players, and Clemson’s always a really good team year in and year out,” Roman Kimball said. “So just treat them like everybody else, go out there and prepare the same way we always do. And obviously, we have a little bit more intensity, a little bit more fire because it is a little bit of a rivalry. So we’re just going to go out there and we’re going to prepare the same way and go out there and hopefully hit some home or strike some guys out and have some fun.”
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The series will begin at Founders Park on Friday. The Saturday matchup moves over to nearby Segra Park. And then the series finale will move back to Clemson on Sunday afternoon.
In a way, this three-venue format might be more beneficial to the Gamecocks. They will get to play the first two games in Columbia without having to travel far. Going back to last year, they had to go to Clemson for game one and then play in Greenville for the Saturday matchup.
“That Friday night when we went to Clemson, I was a little afraid going in there because that place is just electric,” Petry said. “I feel like when they come in Friday night here tomorrow, it’s going to be rocking and they’re going to be a little bit afraid too.”
