Gamecocks Shutout Tigers in Baseball Rivalry

South Carolina defeats Clemson 7-0 in series opener at Founders Park

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team hosted the Clemson Tigers on Friday night at Founders Park. The game was delayed by weather for nearly two hours, but the Gamecocks prevailed with a 7-0 shutout victory. Pitchers Josh Gunther and Alex Valentin combined for 15 strikeouts on the night.

Why it matters

The annual baseball matchup between South Carolina and Clemson is one of the most anticipated rivalries in college sports. The two teams have faced off over 300 times, with the series being closely contested over the decades. This win gives the Gamecocks an early advantage in the 2026 season series.

The details

After the lengthy weather delay, the Gamecocks came out strong, scoring 7 runs to shut out the Tigers. Pitchers Josh Gunther and Alex Valentin were dominant, striking out a combined 15 Clemson batters. The win improves South Carolina's record to 5-2 on the young season.

  • The game at Founders Park was delayed by weather for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
  • The first pitch was thrown at approximately 8:45 PM local time.

The players

Josh Gunther

South Carolina pitcher who struck out 8 batters in the game.

Alex Valentin

South Carolina pitcher who struck out 7 batters in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Our pitchers really set the tone tonight and our offense capitalized on their opportunities. It was a great team win to start the rivalry series.”

— Mark Kingston, South Carolina Head Baseball Coach (on3.com)

What’s next

The two teams will face off again on Saturday at 3 PM at Segra Park in Columbia.

The takeaway

The Gamecocks have drawn first blood in the 2026 edition of the storied baseball rivalry between South Carolina and Clemson. With dominant pitching and timely hitting, they were able to secure a convincing shutout victory to open the series.