Clemson Takes Down South Carolina Due to Hot Start

Dominic Listi is pumped after an RBI single in Clemson's 5-3 win over South Carolina. (Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

Game One of the Palmetto Series

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first game of a three-game set. Clemson was able to hold on and win a narrow one, 5-3. The Tigers now move to 8-1 on the season, while the Gamecocks lose their first game of the year and fall to 9-1 on the young season. Josh Paino’s bases-loaded RBI walk in the bottom of the second inning proved to be enough for the Tigers to hold on. Jacob McGovern picked up the win for Clemson, his first of the season. For the Gamecocks, Matthew Becker took the loss, his first of the season. Lucas Mahlstedt recorded the save.

Tigers Strike First

After Aidan Knaak’s strong first inning, the Tigers pounced in the bottom of the first to take an early lead. Matthew Becker was able to get two quick outs to start the frame, but Cam Cannarella’s bunt down the third baseline got things rolling for the Tigers. Josh Paino followed Cannarella with a walk to bring up the powerful Collin Priest with runners on first and second. The transfer from Mount Dora, Florida, came through for Clemson, ripping a double into right field to score two runs and give the Tigers an early 2-0 lead.

Clemson Extends Lead in Second Frame

Luke Gaffney started the second inning off right with a double down the third baseline to get the crowd roaring at DKS. Jarren Purify followed that double up with a sacrifice bunt, moving Gaffney over to third for Andrew Ciufo. The New York native worked a walk to bring up the always-dangerous Dominic Listi. The transfer from Indiana State did not disappoint, lacing an RBI single into right field to extend the Clemson lead to three. But the Tigers weren’t done there, as Josh Paino’s bases-loaded walk gave Clemson a 4-0 lead heading into the third inning.

South Carolina Cuts into Deficit

Aidan Knaak started the inning off strong with a strikeout of former Clemson player Nathan Hall but ran into trouble right after that. A single by Jase Woita and back-to-back walks to Ethan Petry and Kennedy Jones loaded the bases for ex-Tiger Nolan Nawrocki. The New York native notched his fifth sacrifice fly of the season after his flyout scored Woita. But the Gamecocks had more in store, as a Talmadge LeCroy double into left field scored two runs and cut the Clemson lead to just one.

Bats Go Silent

After the Gamecocks' three-run third inning, neither team was able to get on the board until Jarren Purify’s solo shot in the seventh inning. From the fourth through the seventh inning, South Carolina managed only two hits and four baserunners while striking out six times. The Tigers’ bats weren’t much better, as they were unable to muster up anything offensively from the third inning to the sixth. Clemson collected only three hits and seven baserunners until Purify sent a ball into the left-field seats to give the Tigers a 5-3 lead.

Takeaways

Collin Priest Needs to Be an Everyday Starter

The Michigan transfer showed once again why he should be an everyday starter for Erik Bakich and the Clemson Tigers. Priest went 2-for-4 on the night with a double and two RBIs to give the Tigers an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. Coming into the game, Priest was hitting .368, along with three doubles and a home run, showing his value to this Clemson team.

Bullpen Steps Up

Jacob McGovern and Lucas Mahlstedt were terrific for the Tigers tonight, combining for 4.1 innings while allowing just one hit and striking out five batters. Knaak didn’t have his best stuff, getting knocked out halfway through the fifth inning, but luckily for the Tigers, McGovern and Mahlstedt did. Pitching was a concern coming into this season, but the bullpen has been strong so far.