GREENVILLE, S.C. — Ethan Darden was masterful, holding South Carolina scoreless over seven innings of work as No. 13 Clemson clinched the rivalry series against the Gamecocks with a 5-1 win at Fluor Field on Saturday. The win gives the Tigers four straight wins in the series dating back to last season.

Darden dazzled South Carolina hitters for the Tigers (9-1), allowing just three hits while tying a career-high with six strikeouts in picking up his second win (2-0) of the season. He worked out of a bases loaded, no-outs jam in the first and then finished by working out of a two on, one-out jam in the seventh. The seven innings were also a new career-high.

Drew Tittsworth pitched the final two innings, notching his second save of the season.

South Carolina (9-2) starter Jake McCoy also turned in a fantastic start, striking out 12 across six innings of work. The left-handed sophomore suffered the loss (1-1), allowing just two runs on three hits while also walking three.

Both teams had opportunities to get on the board in the first. Dominic Listi led off the game with a triple but was ultimately thrown out trying to take home on a shallow fly ball to left by Josh Paino.

South Carolina loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom half of the inning, but Darden would retire the next three hitters, leaving the runners stranded.

The Tigers would finally break through in the top of the sixth. After Listi drew a leadoff walk, Paino laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving him over to second. Cannarella then laced a 1-0 pitch into left-center for a double, driving in Listi and giving Clemson a 1-0 lead.

Gaffney then had a swinging bunt back to the pitcher, but the South Carolina catcher was out of position after trying to field the ball, allowing Cannarella to come all the way around from second to score and make it 2-0.

Ethan Petry’s towering solo-shot out to left in the bottom of the eighth pulled the Gamecocks to within 2-1. It was Petry’s third home run of the season.

The Tigers got that run and then some right back in the top of the ninth. After Gaffney led off the inning with a single, Priest walked, putting runners at first and second with no outs. Jake Jarrell then ripped a 2-0 pitch into left-center, driving in Gaffney and pushing the lead out to 3-1. Tristan Bissetta’s sacrifice fly to deep center then plated Tryston McCladdie, who pinch ran for Priest, making it 4-1. Jarren Purify then knocked a run-scoring double off the wall in left-center, giving the Tigers the 5-1 advantage.

Up Next

The two teams will face off one more time on Sunday in Columbia with Clemson looking to sweep the annual rivalry series. First pitch at Founders Park is scheduled for 5 p.m.