Clemson’s starting rotation will have a different look this weekend in the rivalry series with South Carolina.
Friday starter Ryan Ammons is not listed in an official release regarding the rotation for this series.
Austin Gordon is expected to start Friday’s 6 p.m. contest at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Freshman Tristan Smith will get the nod on the bump on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Greenville’s Fluor Field.
For Sunday’s 1:30 p.m. series finale at Founders Park, “TBA” is listed.
It likely won’t be Ammons as All Clemson has learned through multiple sources that he will not be available this weekend. Ammons (1-0, 2.70 ERA) has been a bright spot for a Clemson pitching staff that’s struggled during a four-game losing skid.
Clemson head coach Erik Bakich told Phil Kornblut of SportsTalk SC on Thursday evening that Ammons has "minor arm discomfort" and it's not considered serious.
It’s a big loss against a South Carolina squad that leads the nation with 27 home runs in nine games.
Gordon has a 6.10 ERA and hasn’t recorded a decision in two starts. Jay Dill, who was the Sunday starter in the first two series, has an ERA over 6.00 as well.
Clemson’s options for that Sunday game could come down to who isn’t used in the first two games of the series.
Smith will bring a lot of intrigue on Saturday. The lefty is one of the top prizes in Clemson’s latest recruiting class. He’s only 2.1 innings in three appearances, but Smith hasn’t allowed a run on two hits against just nine batters faced.
South Carolina will start Will Sanders (0-0, 2.00) on Friday, Noah Hall (2-0, 0-68) on Saturday, and Jack Mahoney (1-0, 3.27) on Sunday.
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