April 16, 2008
Clemson, S.C. – Senior right-hander Nick Godwin hurled 7.2 scoreless innings and back-to-back home runs from freshmen Justin Hopper and Scott Wingo highlighted a five-run fourth inning as South Carolina (27-10) defeated Clemson (18-19) 6-0 on Wednesday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Carolina finishes the 2008 series sweeping the Tigers, the first time the Gamecocks have swept the Tigers in the four-game format that began in the 2001 season. Carolina returns to action on Friday evening at home with a three-game series with Ole Miss. First pitch on Friday night is scheduled for 6 pm.
After earning a win against Clemson last week at home, Godwin continued to be effective on the road as he limited the Tigers to just three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters to earn his second win vs. Clemson this year. Godwin is now 4-2 on the year. Godwin also earned the Tom Price Award given to the Most Valuable Player from South Carolina for the SC-Clemson series. Wilson Boyd earned the Bob Bradley Award for the Tigers. Each MVP award is named after Price and Bradley, who both served as sports information directors at their respective schools. Clemson starting pitcher Justin Sarratt lasted 3.1 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits with three strikeouts and no walks allowed. He is 1-2 on the year.
The Gamecocks finished with a 13-3 advantage in hits with Reese Havens and Whit Merrifield leading the way with three apiece for Carolina. Justin Hopper and James Darnell each had two as well.
South Carolina broke ahead 1-0 in the top of the third inning. Whit Merrifield led off with a base hit and advanced to third base on a single from Justin Smoak. The Gamecocks would then score their first run on James Darnell’s sacrifice fly to center field.
That lead would increase to 6-0 in the fourth inning for Carolina on the back of five hits including a pair of homers. Left fielder Justin Hopper delivered with one out with his first career homer to left field. Not to be outdone was Scott Wingo, who launched his second home run of the season to right field as the Gamecocks went back-to-back on Clemson for the second straight week. Reese Havens followed with a double and would score on a RBI double courtesy of Whit Merrifield that ended the game for Sarratt for the Tigers. Carolina would score two more runs of the inning against reliever Trey Delk as a RBI double from Darnell scored Merrifield with Darnell scoring on a dropped fly ball by left fielder Jeff Schaus.
South Carolina has now defeated Clemson in seven of the last eight games with a 21-15 record against the Tigers over the last nine years (2000-08). Carolina has also now won the regular season series two consecutive years (2007, 2008).
