From Feb. 28-Mar. 2, the Clemson Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks will battle it out in the Palmetto Bowl Series.
In this historic rivalry in college baseball, Clemson leads the all-time series 188-145-2. The Tigers also won the previous two meetings in 2024 against the Gamecocks.
The two teams will play three games this season next weekend. On Friday, Feb. 28, the two teams will face off in Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C to open the series. On Sunday, Mar. 2, they will play in Founders Park, in Columbia, S.C to close the series out.
However, on Saturday, Mar. 1, the second matchup will be played on a neutral site in Greenville, S.C. The venue is Fluor Field, home to the Greenville Drive, the High-A affiliate team of the Boston Red Sox.
The ballpark in Greenville has hosted the Clemson-South Carolina game in the past. The teams have played each other numerous times there from 2010 up until 2023. Last year’s series was an exciting one as Clemson was victorious by a score of 5-4 in both games that were played. A third game was scheduled, but cancelled due to weather.
These teams have played many exciting games in their storied history, with one of the most memorable being a Clemson 8-7 comeback victory at Fluor Field in 2017.
Highlights from #Clemson's 8-7 come-from-behind win over No. 4 South Carolina at Fluor Field. pic.twitter.com/Xqn0bC06V2
— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) March 5, 2017
Both programs are very talented with Clemson looking to build on hosting a super regional last year and South Carolina hiring former NCAA championship winning head coach for the LSU Tigers in Paul Mainieri for his first season in Columbia this year.
The Gamecocks won back to back national championships in 2010 and 2011 while Erik Bakich’s squad is looking for their first program national title ever and first trip to Omaha since 2010.
Since 2010, South Carolina has been better on neutral sites with an 8-7 record against the Tigers.
That record includes games at Segra Field in Columbia, which is another neutral site the Palmetto Series has been played at. That ballpark is normally home to the Columbia Fireflies, the Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.
Prior to the teams kicking off the weekend series, they will play a midweek game. South Carolina faces off against Gardner-Webb and Clemson will play against Winthrop.
This upcoming Saturday’s game at Fluor Field is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EST.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
Photo Credit: Clemson utility Chad Fairey calls for the ball during an NCAA baseball game against South Carolina on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina won 7-1. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
