In a series where typically all records are thrown out the window, that’s exactly what happened in this year’s Palmetto Series from Feb. 27 to March 1, as No. 14 Clemson baseball took two out of three games from South Carolina.
The Tigers improved to 10-1 on the season, while the Gamecocks dropped to 7-5. Clemson suffered its first loss of the year and also recorded a 78-pitch complete game — all in the same series.
What happens in the Palmetto Series stays in the Palmetto Series.
Game 1
In the hostile atmosphere of Founders Park, Clemson suffered its first loss of the season, 7-0, and saw its five-game win streak in the series snapped.
Following a two-hour rain delay, the Tigers turned in a lackluster performance, managing just three hits while striking out 15 times at the plate.
Starter Aidan Knaak struggled on the mound and took the loss, going five innings while giving up four runs and three walks, striking out eight.
Momentum and home-field advantage were firmly on South Carolina’s side, as Clemson looked rattled throughout the matchup and never found a rhythm against a fired-up Gamecock squad.
Game 2
Traveling to Greenville, South Carolina, on Feb. 28, Clemson evened the series behind a 78-pitch “Maddux” complete game from Michael Sharman.
The lefty threw just 11 balls the entire game, allowing one run and issuing zero walks. Sharman, 3-0, recorded Clemson’s first complete game in nearly two years since Ethan Darden accomplished the feat.
After South Carolina struck first at the top of the third, Nate Savoie quickly responded with a three-run homer in the bottom half of the frame to give the Tigers their first lead of the series.
With the win secured, the Tigers headed home with momentum on their side and Tiger fans ready to roar.
Game 3
Back on home turf for the finale, the Tigers delivered, defeating the Gamecocks 7-2 on the afternoon of March 1 to clinch the series.
After South Carolina plated two early runs in the second inning, Clemson shut the door, scoring seven unanswered runs the rest of the time.
Highlighted by Ty Dalley’s fourth-inning homer, Tyler Lichtenberger’s two-RBI single in the third and Tryston McCladdie’s two-RBI single in the sixth, the Tigers made up for their earlier offensive struggles.
Talan Bell surrendered the two Gamecock runs in the second, but settled in, pitching four innings and striking out three.
Drew Titsworth was sharp out of the bullpen, tossing three scoreless innings with three strikeouts of his own. Sharman earned the Bob Bradley Award as Clemson’s MVP of the series following his dominant performance on Feb. 28.
The Tigers will travel back to Greenville on Wednesday to face Michigan State at 6 p.m., with Clemson serving as the designated home team.
