Clemson Wins Palmetto Series, Dominates Greatest Rivalry in College Baseball Once Again
When it comes to college baseball, there’s no debate—Clemson vs. South Carolina is the greatest rivalry in the sport. If you think otherwise, you’ve got your school blinders on. Dating back to 1899, this battle between the Tigers and Gamecocks is as heated as it gets, and for fans in the Carolinas, nothing compares to the electricity when these two programs collide.
The 2025 edition of the Palmetto Series proved once again why this is the fiercest showdown in the country. Clemson, ranked No. 7, took game one in front of a record-breaking crowd of 6,891 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium with a 5-3 win. The Tigers carried that momentum into game two in Greenville’s Fluor Field, where they shut down South Carolina 3-1, clinching the series victory in front of a wild, split crowd. Now, with the series in hand, Clemson heads to Columbia aiming for the sweep in Founders Park.
A Storied Rivalry That Delivers Every Year
Clemson’s dominance in this rivalry has been well-documented. The Tigers have now won eight of the last 11 season series against South Carolina, adding another chapter to a history that stretches back over a century.
- Overall Series Record: Clemson now leads 189-145-2
- Games Played at Clemson: Clemson leads 105-46
- Games Played at Neutral Sites: Clemson leads 15-13
- Games Played at South Carolina: South Carolina leads 86-71-2
Since the series shifted to a three-game weekend format in 2010, Clemson has held the edge in head-to-head matchups, and this year was no different.
Tigers Take Game One Behind a Hot Start
Game one saw Clemson jump on South Carolina early, scoring four runs in the first two innings. Collin Priest delivered a clutch two-out, two-run double in the first, while Dominic Listi and Josh Paino added RBIs in the second. The Gamecocks responded with three runs in the third, but Jarren Purify’s solo blast in the seventh gave the Tigers the cushion they needed.
Jacob McGovern (1-0) picked up the win, while Lucas Mahlstedt shut the door with three dominant innings to earn his third save of the season.
Tigers Shut Down Gamecocks in Greenville
With a packed crowd at Fluor Field for game two, Clemson’s pitching took center stage. The Tigers rode an elite performance from Ethan Darden and a lights-out bullpen to secure a 3-1 victory. South Carolina struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, stranding six runners and failing to crack Clemson’s defense.
No. 7 Clemson Downs South Carolina 5-1
Ethan Darden pitched 7.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball to lead No. 7 Clemson to a 5-1 victory over South Carolina at Fluor Field on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers, who took a 2-0 lead in the series and won their seventh game in a row, improved to 9-1, while the Gamecocks dropped to 9-2.
Darden (2-0) earned the win in the best outing of his career, as he allowed just two walks with six strikeouts in only 89 pitches. Darden also retired 13 batters in a row at one point. Drew Titsworth pitched 2.0 innings to record his second save of the year. Gamecock starter Jake McCoy (1-1) suffered the loss, as he gave up three hits, two runs and two walks with a career-high 12 strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched.
After five scoreless innings to start the game, Cam Cannarella ripped a run-scoring double in the sixth inning to score Dominic Listi, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 10 games. Luke Gaffney then hit a chopper in front of the plate and was retired at first base and Cannarella scored from second base on the play.
Ethan Petry cut Clemson’s lead in half in the eighth inning with a solo homer. In the ninth inning, Jacob Jarrell lofted a run-scoring single, then Tristan Bissetta hit a sacrifice fly. Jarren Purify followed with a run-scoring double.
Clemson Eyes the Sweep in Columbia
Sunday’s showdown at Founders Park will be one of the most electric environments in college baseball this season. While South Carolina will be desperate to salvage a win, Clemson has already proven its dominance. With the Reedy River Rivalry trophy secured, the Tigers now have a chance to make a statement by taking all three games.
For Clemson fans, this is what makes the rivalry so special. Three games, three different locations, and unmatched intensity. The Tigers have already won the battle—but on Sunday, they can win the war.
South Carolina fans may argue, but history and results don’t lie. The greatest rivalry in college baseball belongs to Clemson. And in 2025, the Tigers have left no doubt.
