GREENVILLE, S.C. – Ethan Darden delivered a stellar performance on the mound, leading the No. 7-ranked Clemson Tigers to a 5-1 victory over rival South Carolina in a thrilling college baseball matchup at Fluor Field on Saturday afternoon. The win gave the Tigers a commanding 2-0 lead in the series and extended their impressive win streak to seven, improving their season record to 9-1. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks, despite a valiant effort, saw their record fall to 9-2 after their second consecutive loss to Clemson.
Darden’s performance was nothing short of dominant. Over seven innings, he allowed just three hits and no runs, walking two batters while striking out six. His efficiency was remarkable, requiring only 89 pitches to dispatch the Gamecock lineup. At one point, Darden retired 13 consecutive batters, a testament to his control and poise under pressure. It was the best outing of his career, and with each pitch, he demonstrated why he is considered one of the premier pitchers in the nation. Relief pitcher Drew Titsworth closed out the game with two scoreless innings, earning his second save of the year and sealing the victory for the Tigers.
A Pitcher’s Duel Turns in Clemson’s Favor
The game started as a classic pitchers’ duel, with both teams struggling to generate offense against strong starting performances. Jake McCoy, the Gamecocks’ ace, was tasked with keeping the potent Clemson offense at bay. McCoy, despite suffering the loss, put together an impressive outing of his own, going six innings and striking out a career-high 12 batters. However, McCoy’s performance was marred by an inability to limit the damage, as he gave up two runs on three hits and two walks. His high pitch count, a result of battling Clemson’s disciplined lineup, ultimately prevented him from going deeper into the game.
While McCoy was effective at times, it was Darden’s ability to keep the South Carolina hitters off balance that set the tone for the Tigers. His fastball, sitting in the low 90s, was consistently around the strike zone, and he mixed in a devastating curveball that had the Gamecocks swinging early and often. McCoy’s counterpart simply outperformed him in every facet of the game. With no runs to show for their efforts through the first five innings, the Gamecocks were on the brink of being shut out for the second consecutive game in the series.
Clemson Breaks the Scoreless Stalemate
After five scoreless frames, Clemson finally broke the deadlock in the sixth inning. Dominic Listi, who had extended his hitting streak to 10 games earlier in the contest, reached base to start the rally. The next batter, Cam Cannarella, then stepped to the plate with an opportunity to break through against McCoy. The sophomore did not disappoint, ripping a double to deep right-center field that brought Listi home with the game’s first run. On the very next play, Clemson capitalized on an error-prone situation. Luke Gaffney, attempting to reach base with a chopper in front of the plate, was thrown out at first, but Cannarella smartly advanced to third and scored on the play, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
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The Gamecocks managed to put together a response in the eighth inning. Clemson’s defense, which had been flawless all game, was tested when Ethan Petry launched a solo home run to left field off Darden, cutting the Tigers’ lead to 2-1. It was a glimmer of hope for South Carolina, but any momentum gained was quickly stifled by Darden and Titsworth, who kept the Gamecocks from capitalizing further.
Clemson’s Final Push Seals the Win
In the top of the ninth inning, Clemson ensured that the Gamecocks wouldn’t have a chance at a late-game comeback. After a leadoff single, Jacob Jarrell produced an important insurance run with a single of his own, driving in a run and making it 3-1. Then, with one out, Tristan Bissetta lifted a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-1. Finally, Jarren Purify delivered the finishing blow, a double that brought in another run and made it 5-1. These additional runs were crucial, as they left the Gamecocks with little room for error in the bottom of the ninth.
With Titsworth shutting down South Carolina’s final attempts, the Tigers walked off Fluor Field with a commanding 5-1 victory. It was a complete team effort from Clemson, with Darden’s brilliance on the mound and timely hitting providing the margin of victory. The Tigers now head into the series finale with all the momentum, while South Carolina must regroup if they hope to avoid a series sweep.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Clemson and South Carolina?
As the series shifts to Founders Park in Columbia, S.C., the Tigers will look to complete the sweep and solidify their standing as one of the nation’s top teams. Darden’s performance is sure to be a talking point as Clemson moves forward, but the team’s overall depth — both on the mound and at the plate — will likely be the key to their continued success. With a balanced roster that blends youth and experience, the Tigers are poised for a deep run in the season ahead.
For South Carolina, the loss marks a tough stretch, but their talented roster remains dangerous. McCoy’s strong showing, despite the loss, offers hope, and Petry’s home run proves that their offensive firepower can still shine through. South Carolina will need to adjust their approach at the plate and provide more consistent pitching support in Sunday’s finale if they hope to avoid a third straight loss.
The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to this early-season rivalry, and both teams will be looking to make a statement in the final game. Whether the Tigers complete the sweep or the Gamecocks salvage a game, there are certainly more thrilling chapters left in this series
