Walk-off homer wins Clemson the Battle at BullStreet in extra innings
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - The South Carolina men’s baseball team lost in a 12-inning thriller to Clemson after a walk-off homerun by Andrew Ciufo (#5). Th
The #19 Gamecocks were looking to extend their win streak to three after a win against Gardner-Webb on Tuesday. The team started the season with an impressive 8-1 record and has yet to play a game on the road or a neutral field.
#10 Clemson started the season 7-1, with today’s matchup being their first win on the road.
South Carolina started junior right-handed pitcher Eli Jones (#14), who had one win under his belt coming into this game. Clemson started sophomore Tristan Smith (#18), who’s started two games this year.
Clemson took the advantage in hits 8 to 1 at the bottom of the 4th, with two runs scored by the Tigers after a 2 RBI double by Cam Cannarella (#10). The Gamecocks struggled batting throughout the first 4 innings, trailing 2-0 at the top of the fifth.
A home run by sophomore infielder Will Tippett at the top of the fifth cut the Clemson lead in half.
Eli Jones bowed out of the game at the bottom of the fifth, having totaled 76 pitches and 9 hits against him. Chris Veach (37) replaced him. Clemson also replaced Tyler Smith at the top of the 6th for Ethan Darden (#39).
Veach got in a bind at the bottom of the 6th, having bases loaded after three straight walks helped Clemson get on base. The inning concluded with the Gamecocks not allowing anyone to reach home after 2B Blake Wright lined out with two balls during his time on the mound.
The Tigers took advantage of a single at the bottom of the 8th, as Hinderleider launched a two-run homer into left field, doubling the score to 4-1.
The Gamecocks roared back into the game at the top of the ninth. Tippet scored after junior outfielder Blake Jackson tripled to right center. And down 2, sophomore Ethan Petry hit a clutch 2 RBI homerun to tie the game at 4-4.
The game ended in dramatic fashion, as graduate junior Andrew Ciufo hit a walk-off home run to center field at the bottom of the 12th, giving the Tigers an impressive win in The Battle at Bull St.
The Gamecocks will have to brush off the loss as they play Clemson on Sunday, to tie the series at one apiece.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.
