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It’s that time of year once again, as the South Carolina Gamecocks clash with the Clemson Tigers in college baseball’s foremost rivalry.
Although the Gamecocks have won seven straight games since their season-opening loss to Liberty, they enter this edition of the showdown in a similar place as the football team this past fall — looking to avoid a five-series losing streak. Last season, Clemson took two games from South Carolina, winning the decisive rubber match 8-7 when the Tigers walked off in the ninth inning after USC had rallied to tie the game.
As Clemson’s rank would attest, the No. 23 Tigers have gotten off to a good start this season. Sporting an identical 7-1 record to Carolina, CU took its season-opening series against South Alabama two games to one, while sweeping VMI and picking up midweek wins against Charlotte and East Tennessee State.
Sophomore outfielder Bryce Teodosio is powering the Tigers at the plate, pacing Clemson with a .393 average and either leading or tied for the lead in hits, doubles, homers, RBIs, and slugging percentage (.821). He also has a .419 on-base percentage with four steals, and went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the Tigers’ most recent win over ETSU.
On the mound, the Gamecocks will likely stick with what has been their established rotation so far, rolling out right-hander Carmen Mlodzinkski (0-0, 4.32 ERA, 8 BB, 7 SO) on Friday, lefty Dylan Harley (0-0, 9.45 ERA, 5 BB, 11 SO) on Saturday, and righty Reid Morgan (1-0, 1.29, 0 BB, 12 SO ERA) on Sunday.
Clemson will counter with right-hander Brooks Crawford (0-0, 3.60 ERA, 0 BB, 8 SO), righty Davis Sharpe (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 BB, 19 SO), and southpaw Justin Wrobleski (0-1, 6.75 ERA, 3 BB, 11 SO).
Former Yardcock LT Tolbert, meanwhile, will counter with some Grade A smack talk.
Better culture has also let them get beat in their own regional 3 years in a row.
— LT Tolbert (@LtTolbert1) February 28, 2019
Hopefully weather doesn’t become a factor this weekend. The start time for Sunday’s game has already been adjusted with rain forecasts in mind, so keep your fingers crossed on that front. And, y’know, keep ‘em crossed for a Gamecock victory, too.
Team Statistics
| Stat | South Carolina | Clemson |
|---|---|---|
| Stat | South Carolina | Clemson |
| Batting Average | 0.275 | 0.262 |
| On-Base % | 0.393 | 0.403 |
| Slugging % | 0.558 | 0.528 |
| ERA | 2.92 | 3 |
| Strikeout-to-Walk Ratio | 3.91 | 4.21 |
| Fielding % | 0.97 | 0.979 |
Game 1: Friday, 6 p.m. (Clemson)
Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m. (Greenville)
Game 3: Sunday, Noon (Columbia)
Watch: Friday’s game will be available via ACC Network Extra, with Saturday and Sunday’s games streamed on SEC Network Plus.
Listen: 107.5 The Game