March 6, 2016
CLEMSON, S.C. ââ’¬” Clemson freshman right-hander Alex Eubanks limited 13th ranked South Carolina to just one run on six hits and a pair of two-run frames in the third and fourth innings was enough to lift the Tigers to a 4-1 victory over the Gamecocks in the rubber game of a three-game weekend series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Gamecocks are now 10-2 on the year with Clemson moving to 8-2 for the season.
Eubanks worked 7.2 innings in his first start of the year and struck out eight with one walk to earn the win and improve to 2-1 for the season. South Carolina junior right-hander Taylor Widener suffered the loss and is 0-1 for the season. He allowed four runs on four hits in three-plus innings with two walks and two strikeouts. Clemson reliever Alex Bostic pitched 1.1 scoreless to earn a save for the Tigers.
Clemson went ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning. Adam Renwick was hit by a pitch to open the frame, was sacrificed over and scored on Chase Pinder’s RBI single to left field. Reed Rohlman followed with a RBI double to left-center to score Pinder.
South Carolina answered with run in the top of the fourth to cut the deficit to a run. Dom Thompson-Williams led off with a double down the right field line and scored on Gene Cone’s one-out sacrifice fly to right-center.
Clemson would strike back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a three-run lead. Chris Okey walked and Robert Jolly singled to start the inning. After Renwick’s sacrifice, Andrew Cox would drive in both runners on a single to center field.
GAME CHANGER
Clemson’s two-run fourth inning extended the Tigers’ lead to three runs.
KEY STAT
After five hits in the first four innings, the Gamecocks were limited to just two singles for the remainder of the game.
NOTABLES
Dom Thompson-Williams has reached base in all 11 games this year. Thompson-Williams finished 2-for-4 with a run scored. John Jones went 2-for-4 at the plate as well.
Junior left-hander Josh Reagan continues to impress out of the bullpen. He has not allowed a run in five relief appearances this year. Reagan pitched a season-high 4.2 innings and allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out two batters. He had one pickoff as well. Reagan has pitched 9.1 scoreless innings for the season.
Sophomore right-hander Clarke Schmidt earned the Tom Price Award, given to the MVP for the Gamecocks for the series. Schmidt pitched 8.0 scoreless to earn a win in Friday night’s game in Columbia.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Chad Holbrook
“You have to congratulate Clemson. They out-performed us, out-pitched us, one run in the last 18 innings or so (for us). I think we have a better offensive team then what we showed the last 18 innings. You have to give credit to Clemson’s pitchers. We will have to regroup and go back to work.”
UP NEXT
South Carolina returns home for a Tuesday night contest vs. Wofford. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live on SEC Network Plus and can be heard on the Gamecock IMG Network including flagship station, 107.5 FM, “The Game.” The Gamecocks have a pair of midweek contests with a Wednesday night contest vs. Furrman at Founders Park.
