Clemson will face its toughest test of the young season this weekend when it takes on rival South Carolina in the three-game cross-state series.
The Tigers (7-1 overall) are ranked 10th in the latest USA TODAY Sports coaches poll. South Carolina (8-1) is ranked 16th in the coaches poll, but they’re No. 12 in Baseball America’s Top 25 rankings.
Through eight games this season, the Tigers have picked up pretty much where they left off last year before postseason play began.
Clemson’s offense has been hot, averaging 8.6 runs per game while batting a collective .330. Leadoff man and center fielder Cam Cannarella is off to a blistering start with 15 hits in 29 at-bats. The sophomore and 2023 ACC Freshman of the Year didn’t play in Clemson’s 12-6 victory over SC Upstate on Tuesday due to a shoulder injury he suffered a week earlier.
South Carolina defeated Gardner-Webb, 7-1, earlier this week. As a team, the Gamecocks are batting .285 and have a 2.40 staff ERA. Coach Mark Kingston’s team is averaging nine runs per game.
Former Tiger Dylan Brewer, who spent three seasons at Clemson, leads South Carolina with a .519 average (14-for-27) through the team’s first nine games. Ethan Petry (.357 average) and Cole Messina each have three home runs apiece.
For the third straight weekend, Clemson is scheduled go with right-hander Billy Barlow on the mound as its Friday starter, followed by left-hander Tristan Smith on Saturday and freshman right-hander Aiden Knaak in Sunday’s finale.
The Gamecocks are set to counter with their Friday night starter, right-hander Eli Jones. RHPs Dylan Eskew and Roman Kimball will start Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Series History
Clemson leads the all-time head to head series with South Carolina, 186-145-2. The Gamecocks are the Tigers’ most common opponent in a series that dates back to 1899. South Carolina took two of three games in last year’s series.
Where to Watch/Stream/Listen
Here’s a look at how and where Clemson fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series against South Carolina.
Dates: Friday-Sunday, March 1-3
Start Times (EST):
Friday, 7 p.m.
Saturday, 4 p.m.
Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where:
Friday: Founders Park
Saturday: Segra Park (Columbia, S.C.)
Sunday: Doug Kingsmore Stadium
Live Stream:
Friday: SEC Network+, ESPN+
Saturday and Sunday: ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), ESPN+
Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | ClemsonTigers.com
Broadcast Teams
SEC Network Extra: Dave Weinstein, Kip Bouknight
ACC Network Extra: William Qualkinbush, Bob Mahony, Jeff Morris