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Not that any of the credit per se for this victory can really go to Clemson, but they certainly helped out by committing a whole bunch of errors that South Carolina was able to take advantage of.
After the Tigers threatened in the top of the first, the Gamecocks got on the board in the bottom of the inning, taking a 1-0 lead thanks to an RBI single from Alex Destino.
Both teams were quiet in the second, third, and fourth innings, but South Carolina broke things wide open in the fifth. With one out, Marcus Mooney singled, Danny Blair reached first on an error, and another error brought a run in. Jonah Bride came brought Blair home, then Destino came through again, bringing Dom Thompson-Williams across home plate. Bride made it home as well, despite falling en route to the plate, because Clemson didn't notice he'd fallen, so he had time to get up and get home. As I said, the Tigers did their fair share to help out tonight. With two outs in the inning, LT Tolbert knocked a base hit to bring in the Gamecocks' sixth run of the night.
South Carolina scored its final two runs in the eighth inning. With one out, DTW walked, stole second, and came home on an RBI double by Bride. With two outs, Destino - who else, really? - came through again with an RBI single. He finished the night 5-for-5 with 3 RBI, which seems pretty good.
Clemson put an end to the shutout in the ninth inning with a one-out solo homer from Seth Beer.
Starter Clarke Schmidt was dominant tonight, working eight innings, which is a new career-long. He allowed six hits but no runs, didn't walk any batters, and struck out nine, which is also a new career best. He did hit three batters, but that didn't end up hurting South Carolina (probably hurt the Tigers who got hit, though). Schmidt also did a nice job bouncing back after giving up hits or hitting batters. He earns the win and is now 3-0 on the season. Reed Scott pitched the ninth inning for the home team.
The Gamecocks' defense was solid tonight, playing error-free and turning a couple of nice double plays.
With the win, South Carolina improves to 10-0, while Clemson drops to 9-2. They'll meet again on Saturday afternoon in Greenville, with first pitch set for 2:30 p.m. Braden Webb will start on the mound for the Gamecocks, while Clate "Brother of Clarke" Schmidt will get the nod for the Tigers.