Clemson Takes the Broom to Gamecocks Tigers sweep South Carolina for the third time in four years, and second straight
The Tigers completed a three-game sweep of the Gamecocks Sunday with an 8-2 victory at Founder’s Park in Columbia.
Clemson (10-1) sealed its fifth straight overall victory over Carolina thanks to Collin Priest’s three-run home run to right field in the top of the eighth inning. The Tigers also got an RBI single from Jarren Purify in the fifth inning.
For the second day in a row, Clemson pitching was the story of the game. Starter Justin LeGuernic was sensational.
LeGuernic kept the Gamecocks (9-3) at bay through the first four innings. He did not allow a run, gave up just two hits, struck out six and walked just one.
Three times Carolina had runners in scoring position on LeGuernic and all three times the Gamecocks failed to convert.
After a rough start against Ole Miss in the season opener, LeGuernic has battled with back-to-back strong performances. In his last two outings, the Clemson lefty has not allowed a run, has given up three hits, has 12 strikeouts and five walks in 10 innings of work.
The Tigers also got three scoreless innings from Joe Allen after he came on in relief in the fifth inning. He did not give up a hit, struck out six and walked just one. His six strikeouts were all consecutive.
Allen earned the win.
Lucas Mahlstedt and Reed Garris came on in relief to close out the game in the eighth and ninth innings. Garris struck out two of the three batters he faced, while Mahlstedt had one strikeout.
Tigers pitching recorded 15 strikeouts overall.
Clemson took a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning when Purify singled through the right side with one out to score Jacob Jerrell.
Dominic Listi led off the eighth with a base hit and Josh Paino reached on a fielder’s choice before Cam Cannarella drew a one-out walk. After Luke Gaffney flew out to right field, Priest launched his three-run bomb on Parker Marlatt’s first offering.
The Gamecocks rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, including a controversial interference call on designated hitter Jase Woita that ended the inning.
The Tigers put the game to bed in the top of the ninth inning with four runs, including a two-out, 2 RBI hit to right from Cannarella, an RBI single to right from Gaffney and then Cannarella scoring on a wild pitch.
Purify led Clemson with a 2-for-4 night at the plate, while driving in one run. Cannarella had two RBIs and was 1-for-3 with two walks.
MVP
Clemson pitcher Ethan Darden won the Bob Bradley Award, which goes to the Tigers’ Most Valuable Player in the South Carolina series. Darden won Saturday’s game after pitching seven innings of scoreless baseball.
The lefty did not give up a run and allowed just three hits in Saturday’s 5-1 win at Greenville. He had six strikeouts and two walks, which both came in the first inning.
Up Next
Clemson will return to Greenville on Tuesday night and play USC Upstate at Fluor Field. First pitch is 6 p.m.
