The Clemson Tigers baseball team (9-1) brought the wood to the woodshed today and blisted the backside of the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team (6-4) by the score of 19-6. The Tigers victory gave them the “rubber game” of the three-game baseball series.
Clemson came to play, as the Tigers got 5 home runs on the afternoon including a grand slam by Chris Epps in the second and another grand slam by Phil Pohl in the 9th. In between, the Tigers got a three run homer by Richie Shaffer and solo shots by Mike Freeman and Addison Johnson. A 6 run second inning by CU began to romp that didn’t stop. The Tigers lead kept building despite the ‘Cocks getting 6 of their own.
Gamecocks pitching was horrible (and that is putting it nice) as 8 USC pitchers tried to stop the Clemson beat down. None could contain the Tigers as they gave up 5 HRs and 11 walks. The 19 runs are the most the Tigers have scored against the Gamecocks since 1962.
Only thing good at Carolina Stadium was the weather. Oh, and Whit Merrifield did extend his hitting streak.
Epps received the Bob Bradley award as Clemson’s MVP in the series. He was 7-14 with two home runs, 6 RBIs and 6 runs scored. Jackie Bradley Jr. rerceived the Tom Price Award as USC’s MVP. He was 6-12 for the series with a home run and 4 RBIS.
The Gamecocks return to action at home Tuesday night against Valparaiso.
