This series now has another dramatic finish to add to its belt as South Carolina defeated the Tigers 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th to sweep the home-and-home series with Clemson. With runners on first and second and one out after a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk to left fielder Jon Willard, Carolina catcher Trent Kline lined a 3-1 pitch at Clemson shortstop Taylor Harbin.

Harbin was atempting to turn a double play, according to manager Jack Leggett, that would have sent the game to extra innings. However, he booted the ball into left field, but the play was not ruled an error. Gamcocks third baseman James Darnell ran from 2nd all the way to home to beat the throw from left fielder Addison Johnson to slide across home plate.

WP - Will Atwood (1-0)

LP - Daniel Moskos (0-1), Blown Save

South Carolina will play again on Tuesday at Joe Riley Park in Charleston, S.C. against the College of Charleston Cougars, and Clemson will play Wednesday against another tough team in the Chanitcleers of Coastal Carolina.

Posted by William Bretherton at 04:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the Tigers half of the ninth, third baseman Marquez Smith hit a one out single to get one base, but Clemson was able to get nothing more. I'm headed down to the field, and will update you later about its conclusion.

Posted by William Bretherton at 03:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Going into the ninth inning, the Gamecocks have just tied the game on a two out double to the left center field gap by Gamecocks DH Phil Disher off of Clemson closer Daniel Moskos. On the play, Carolina first baseman Justin Smoak was running from first basee, but was gunned down at home plate by the relay throw from left fielder Addison Johnson to shortstop Taylor Harbin to home. The score stands at 2-2 with Clemson's 4-5-6 hitters coming plateward. This should be an exciting finish.

Posted by William Bretherton at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With one out in the top of the 8th, the Tigers left fielder Addison Johnson singled in pinch runner D.J. Mitchell to give Clemson the 2-1 lead. Mitchell is staying in the game to play right field, and Clemson manager Jack Leggett has gone ahead and put closer Daniel Moskos into the game to pitch the bottom of the 8th. It is clear that Clemson does want to let this game slip away.

Posted by William Bretherton at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the top of the 7th, Clemson tiedthe score on an RBI single by Marquez Smith, and chased Carolina starter Mike Cisco. With runners on 2nd and 3rd and two outs, Carolina reliever Wynn Pelzer struck out Clemson catcher Doug Hogan to end the inning.

Posted by William Bretherton at 02:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Both teams have had opputunities to score, but neither team has put a run across the plate since the first.

In the fifth inning, the Tigers had the best chance of the game so far. With two outs catcher Doug Hogan lined a ball to right field for a single. Third baseman Marquez Smith was waived around home plate, and was gunned down at the plate by right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall.

Now in the top of the 7th, the Tigers have runners on first and third with one out and Marquez Smith at the plate. Stay tuned,

Posted by William Bretherton at 02:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Tigers first baseman Andy D'Alessio led off the top of the 5th inning with a weak ground ball up the middle. Carolina second baseman Travis Jones fielded the ball and threw to first, but not in time.

Posted by William Bretherton at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There hasn't been any more scoring here in Columbia as both pitchers are shuting down the oppoising lineups. Between the Tigers and the Gamecocks, there are only four hits showing on the scoreboard. All four of them belong to Carolina, and three of those came in the first inning when they plated the only run of the game.

Posted by William Bretherton at 02:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In the first inning, Clemson was put down in order by Gamecocks starter Mike Cisco. In the bottom half of the first, the Gamecocks picked up their first run of the ball game on an RBI single by designated hitter Phil Disher.

On a seperate note, this is my first visit to Sarge Frye Field and off to my right, there is a Gamecock perched on the South Carolina dugout. After talking to a few colleagues, this is going to be one of 20 appearances it will be making to the stadium this season.

Posted by William Bretherton at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I just arrived at Sarge Frye Field in Coulumbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks square off today in game two of the home-and-home series against their in-state rival Clemson Tigers. Yesterday, the Gamecocks two hit the Tigers in nine innings on their way to a 12-0 victory at Doug Kinsmore Stadium in Clemson.

Today's starters are:

So. Carolina - #36 Mike Cisco (3.86 ERA/1-0/18 K/3 BB)

Clemson - #45 Ryan Hinson (1.00 ERA/0-0/7 K/4 BB)

The ame appears to be starting shortly, and the stands are full here. Both the orange and maroon clad crowd here are ready to go and have been shouting and cheering for nearly 30 minutes now.

Posted by William Bretherton at 01:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)