In a matchup of two top 25 teams, Clemson won a pair of thrilling 5-4 victories against in-state rival South Carolina in the Palmetto Series over the weekend. The games were the latest entries in a rivalry that dates all the way back to the end of the 19th century.
Since 1899, the Tigers and Gamecocks have played one another more times than any other opponent. With its two wins this weekend, Clemson now leads the all-time head to head series, 188-145-2.
The Tigers, ranked 11th in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, improved to 9-1 overall with their two nail-biting victories over the 16th-ranked Gamecocks.
A walk-off home run in the bottom of the 12th inning from Andrew Ciufo ended Saturday’s contest, while a come-from-behind victory on Sunday ended with Tigers pitcher Austin Gordon stranding the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base in the ninth inning.
College baseball, much like college football and basketball, is known for its top rivalries. Alabama and Auburn hate each other in any sport, as does Ole Miss and Mississippi State, Florida and Florida State (and Miami), Duke and North Carolina, and others.
As for Clemson vs. South Carolina and the Palmetto Series?
“I think this is the best rivalry in college baseball,” Tigers third baseman Nolan Nawrocki said after Sunday’s game, which included Nawrocki’s go-ahead home run in the sixth inning. “It’s great to be a part of it. I’m just so happy that we can all embrace these moments and just keep competing.”
Second baseman Blake Wright, who went 2-for-4 and clubbed his fourth home run of the season in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game, agreed with Nawrocki.
“It’s the best rivalry in college baseball. Definitely in the state,” Wright said. “It was definitely a huge (series) win for us. We played hard as a team, we were super competitive. They’re a good club. It definitely got a little chippy, but that’s what makes it fun. It means a lot to this university and it means a lot for us (players).”
Because Friday’s scheduled series opener at Founders Park in Columbia was rained out, the two schools will play a makeup game in April.
In the meantime, Clemson will host Kansas State in midweek play Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.