Priest Delivers on Sunday as Tigers Sweep the Gamecocks
- Luke O'Reilly
- Mar 2
- 4 min read
The Clemson Tigers faced off against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the final game of a three-game set, looking for the sweep. Clemson was able to complete the sweep with an 8-2 win. The Tigers now move to 10-1 on the season, while the Gamecocks fall to 9-3 on the young season. Collin Priest’s three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning proved to be the game-winner for Clemson. Joe Allen picked up the win for the Tigers after he delivered three shutout innings for Erik Bakich. Dylan Eskew picked up the loss for the Gamecocks, his first of the season.
Strong Start for Eskew and LeGuernic
Both starters cruised through the first three innings, as neither offense was able to score. Clemson’s starter Justin LeGuernic was dominant in his three frames of work, striking out six batters and allowing just two hits and a walk. Dylan Eskew continued his strong start to the season, allowing zero hits and striking out four batters in his first three innings. Neither offense has been strong so far this series, but both LeGuernic and Eskew looked especially dominant through the first couple of innings.
Clemson Strikes First
After being unable to get anything going for the first four innings, Clemson was able to take the lead in the fifth frame. Jacob Jarrell got the inning started with a single into center field, for the Tigers' first hit of the ball game. Tristan Bissetta followed up Jarrell with a single of his own to bring up Jarren Purify with runners in scoring position. The sophomore from Detroit, Michigan, didn’t disappoint, lacing a base hit into right-center field to put the Tigers up 1-0. Clemson was unable to take advantage of the runners on first and second with no outs as McCladdie, Listi, and Paino got out to end the inning.
Collin Priest Breaks Game Open in the Eighth
In the top of the eighth inning, the Tigers' power hitter Collin Priest came through and broke the game open. The inning started with a Dominic Listi single to get the Tigers' offense rolling again. Cam Cannarella followed up Listi’s single with a walk to get runners in scoring position for the Tigers' cleanup hitter Luke Gaffney. The transfer from Purdue was unable to come through for Clemson but gave Collin Priest a chance with two away. The Michigan transfer stepped up big for the Tigers with a three-run jack into right field to give Clemson a 4-0 lead in the top of the eighth inning.
South Carolina Gets on the Board
The Gamecocks were finally able to get on the board in the bottom of the eighth after some controversy led to two runs for South Carolina. The inning started with a single by ex-Tiger Nathan Hall to finally get the Gamecocks going on offense. Ethan Petry stepped up to the plate with one out and a man on first after Max Kaufer’s strikeout looking. Carolina’s star was able to come through with a base hit to bring up Jase Woita with runners in scoring position. Woita came through with an RBI single, but the Gamecocks weren’t done there. Nolan Nawrocki grounded into a fielder’s choice for the second out of the inning, but a throwing error from Jarren Purify was able to get Petry home before Nawrocki was called out at second base due to Woita’s interference on Purify.
Tigers Extend Lead in Ninth
Clemson put the game out of South Carolina’s reach after Cam Cannarella and Luke Gaffney came up clutch for the Tigers in the top of the ninth. The inning started with a Jarren Purify single with one out to get the rally going for the Tigers. After Andrew Ciufo was hit by a pitch, Josh Paino walked to load the bases with two away. Clemson’s star Cam Cannarella stepped up to the dish and did not disappoint. The junior from Hartsville, South Carolina, came up clutch with a two-run single to give Clemson a four-run lead. The Tigers had more where that came from as Luke Gaffney’s single made it a five-run ballgame, and a wild pitch by Brendan Sweeney gave the Tigers an 8-2 lead.
Takeaways
Joe Allen - The Junior from Hampton Falls, New Hampshire was terrific in relief of Justin LeGuernic, throwing three shutout innings. Allen only appeared in 12 games last season but has been dominant for the Tigers so far this year. Allen struck out six batters in his three innings of work and only allowed one base runner after walking Max Kaufer in the fifth inning. If Joe Allen can become a reliable arm for Erik Bakich out of the bullpen that would greatly improve Clemson’s chances of ending their Omaha drought.
Sweep! - Clemson sweeps South Carolina for the second straight season and third time in the last four years. Erik Bakich has made the Clemson Tigers a better baseball program than the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Up Next - Clemson faces University of South Carolina Upstate on Tuesday at 6:00 PM and available to watch on ESPN+
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