The South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Clemson Tigers in Game 1 of their three game match-up by the score of 3-2. The battle was worthy of the hype as it took extra innings to decide the winner.
USC got two runs in the 11th and held off a late Clemson rally to seal the win. Carolina improves to 8-0 while Clemson drops to 4-3 for the season. Game two of the series shifts to Columbia with first pitch at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Let’s give you a good, bad and ugly concerning this win:
The Good
USC’s starting pitcher Michael Roth was pretty close to flawless through six innings allowing just two hits. For the game, he went 7.1 innings and allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and two walks. His performance kept the Clemson offense silent for most of the game.
Also the Gamecocks are now 5-0 in one-run games this season.
The Bad
Not much really to say except the desire for the offense to get going. It has been a slow start for the Gamecocks in 2012. Need the bats to get warm. Love winning but would love winning easier.
The Ugly
Overall, it was a solid game by the Gamecocks. It was a win. But boy it nervous late with USC’s two errors in the bottom of the 11th.
Quote of the Game
“We battled. They battled,” South Carolina head coach Ray Tanner said. “This is the way it is supposed to be when the two of us get together.”
With the win, USC moves to 8-0 and Clemson drops to 4-3.
Today, the Gamecocks are set to send Matt Price to the mound. He’ll be opposed by right-hander Dominic Leone for the Tigers. That is “if” the game is played today as the weather is nasty but let’s hope so.
