Saturday's series opener between rivals Clemson and South Carolina lived up to the billing.
The Tigers knocked off the Gamecocks in thrilling fashion, as Andrew Cuifo's solo home run in the 12th gave Clemson its first ever walk-off win over its rival via the long ball.
"Looked like two top ten teams going at it," head coach Erik Bakich said. "Evenly matched clubs, good pitching, good lineups, good defense. We were fortunate to be one run better."
The Tigers had a 4-1 lead going into the ninth, but a misplayed ball in the outfield led to three runs, including a game-tying 2-run shot by Ethan Petry.
After coming on in the bottom of the ninth and the game tied at 4-4, Gamecocks' reliever Garrett Gainey retired 11 consecutive Clemson hitters before Cuifo's shot heard round the state.
"Obviously, we missed our spot there in the ninth," Bakich said. "Had a misplay in the outfield that allowed some runners on. We were trying to go in, we missed away. Petry does what good hitters do; he makes you pay for it. That was a huge hit to tie the game. We knew we were going to take punches and trade punches. When two heavyweights go at it, they trade punches a lot. That was a big punch to take."
The Tigers got a phenomenal effort from starting pitcher Tristan Smith, as he struck out nine of the 16 batters he faced, while allowing just one run on three hits. Ethan Darden followed that up by allowing just one run in three-plus innings of relief, and Rob Hughes and Matt Marchal combined to hold South Carolina scoreless over the final three innings.
Then there was the timely hitting. Cam Cannarella had a big two out hit that drove in two runs. Jacob Hinderleider had a big 2-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, and of course, none were bigger than Cuifo's solo shot to end it.
The defense, outside of the one misplayed ball in the ninth, was stellar too, and Cuifo's heroics went beyond his game-winning home run, as his glove was also crucial in securing the victory.
"But the storyline of the night, pitching, defense, timely hitting," Bakich said. "The pitching we got, the defense we got, specifically Andrew Cuifo. He saved a game-tying run early in the game. But all the defense today, outside of the one misplay, was elite defense. And then the timely hits.
Cam's two out, two run double. Hindy's two run bomb and obviously Cuifo's big hit there at the end."
"Just a heck of a game. And one of those games that's what college baseball and rivalry games are all about. Somebody had to lose tonight. I'm just glad it wasn't us."
The two teams are set to play Game 2 on Sunday in Clemson. First pitch is scheduled for 2pm inside Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
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