COLUMBIA, S.C. – On Saturday, February 28, the Clemson Tigers earned their ninth win of the season as they defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 4-1 at Segra Park.
The story of the game was Clemson’s starter and Tennessee transfer Michael Sharman, who threw a complete nine innings against the Gamecocks. In those nine innings, Sharman gave up just one earned run and struck out four South Carolina hitters.
He also threw fewer than 80 total pitches in the game. This puts Clemson in a great spot for the series finale at Doug Kingsmore Stadium as they have a lot of bullpen arms saved up for Sunday.
Clemson head coach Erik Bakich commented on Sharman’s great start on the mound.
“I’ve been around this rivalry since 2002,” Bakich said. “Knowing Clemson history as I do, that was one of the all-time performances in this rivalry. Michael Sharman had a performance for the record books.”
Sharman and his thoughts on his start against South Carolina
Sharman’s incredible start against South Carolina was his third in a Clemson uniform. He talked about what he was able to do against the Gamecocks’ lineup.
“I just think of it as a normal baseball game,” Sharman said. “I could not do it without my team, too. They made some great plays behind me on defense.”
The southpaw also talked about how cool it was to play in the Palmetto Series rivalry against South Carolina.
“I came out there and realized how fun it was going to be,” Sharman stated. “No matter what, I just remember that it is a baseball game and try not to get too high or too low. My nerves calmed down as the game went on.”
Nate Savoie, Jarren Purify Contribute to Clemson’s Offense
The four runs the Tigers scored against South Carolina came from Nate Savoie and Jarren Purify.
In the third inning, the Gamecocks had a 1-0 lead. However, that would be quickly erased when Savoie hit a three-run home run that gave Clemson the lead they would hold on to the rest of the game.
Purfiy added on to the Clemson scoring with a sacrifice fly ball in the fourth inning.
As a team, Clemson had nine hits. Eight different players in the Tigers lineup got in the hit column, including Savoie and Purify.
Up Next in the Palmetto Series
Clemson and South Carolina have now won a game apiece in the 2026 Palmetto Series rivalry. The final game of the series is Sunday, March 1, at Clemson’s home ballpark, Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The first pitch is at 3 p.m. EST.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Alfred Ezman | World Baseball Network
