COLUMBIA, S.C. — Making his first career start, Josh Gunther stymied Clemson hitters all night as the right-hander struck 10 in leading rival South Carolina to a 7-0 series-opening win over the No. 15 Tigers on Friday at Founders Park.

The win snaps the Gamecocks’ five-game losing streak to Clemson, and it also snaps the Tigers’ eight-game winning streak to start the season.

It was a sloppy night for Clemson (8-1), with the Tigers being charged with two errors, two passed balls and two wild pitches. More often than not, when Clemson made a mistake, the Gamecocks (7-3) made them pay.

Starter Aidan Knaak (0-1) went five innings, allowing four runs on three hits, in taking his first career loss to the rival Gamecocks. He did strike out eight, but he also walked three and hit a batter.

Justin LeGuernic allowed three runs (one earned) on one hit while striking out four in 1.2 innings. However, he also walked two.

A base running blunder in the top of the second cost the Tigers an early scoring opportunity. With two on and one out, Jacob Jarrell lined out to left, but Luke Gaffney was caught way off second base and easily doubled up to end the threat.

South Carolina would break the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third. After a leadoff single by Patrick Evans, Knaak got the next hitter swinging. Evans then stole second before Knaak issued a walk to Tyler Bak, putting runners on first and second. Another walk to Will Craddock loaded the bases. Knaak then uncorked a wild pitch, giving the Gamecocks their first run of the game.

Ethan Lizama would follow that with a run-scoring single into center. Craddock would then come around to score on a throwing error by Jarrell. Later in the inning, KJ Scobey added an RBI single, giving South Carolina a 4-0 lead.

The Tigers had a chance to cut into the lead in the top of the fifth, putting runners on second and third with just one out, but Gunther would strike out Bryce Clavon on three pitches and then do the same thing to Jarren Purify to escape the jam.

Scobey added another run-scoring single in the sixth, extending the lead to 5-0. Later in the inning, LeGuernic would throw a wild pitch, allowing another run to score and making it 6-0.

A Tyler Lichtenberger throwing error in the seventh allowed the Gamecocks to push the lead out to 7-0.

Reality Check?

For two weeks, this Clemson pitching has been praised for its hot start. Coming in, this staff had one of the best team ERAs in the nation. No more. The Tigers combined to issue five walks, one hit batsmen and two wild pitches. That played a big part in the Gamecocks being able to score seven runs while having only four hits. The Tigers are going to need a strong performance from starter Michael Sharman on Saturday at Segra Park.

Where’s the Beef?

Clemson came in averaging more than seven runs per game, but you never would have known it watching this one. Gunther baffled the Tigers in his first career start. The right-hander held Clemson to just three hits, shutting the Tigers out over seven innings of work, while striking out 10.

Gamecock pitchers struck out 15 Clemson hitters. Ty Dalley and Clavon both struck out three times, with Nate Savoie, Purify and Jarrell all going down on strikes twice.

Tough Night for Jarrell

Clemson’s veteran catcher went 0-for-3 on the night with two strikeouts, but where he really struggled was behind the plate. Jarrell had one throwing error that contributed to the four-run third. Then in the sixth, he allowed another runner to reach on a passed ball after LeGuernic had struck him out. That runner eventually came around to score. He had another passed ball in the seventh that allowed the sixth run to score.

Up Next

The series moves to Segra Park on Saturday for game two of the weekend series. First pitch is at 3 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ACCNX.