Tigers Upset Gamecocks in Run-Rule Fashion
COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Clemson Tigers upset No. 23/24 South Carolina, 8-0, in six innings in the first matchup of the Palmetto Series presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery. The Tigers were powered by 13 hits to improve to 23-10, while South Carolina dropped to 21-13. Wednesday’s win also marked Clemson’s fifth victory against a Top-25 opponent in 2026 and 11th shutout victory.
Sierra Maness pitched her ninth complete game, striking out four and allowing only one walk and four hits. With the win, Maness improved to 14-3 with her fourth solo shutout of the year. Offensively, Julia Knowler led the Tigers with three hits and two RBIs. Macey Cintron tacked on two hits, two RBIs and one run, while Jamison Brockenbrough and Mac Pavese each added two runs and a hit.
The Tigers took an early lead, scoring four in the top of the first. Brockenbrough entered first to bat, singling to right field before advancing to third on a fielding error. Kiley Channell singled through the left side to plate Brockenbrough and give Clemson the early edge. After Pavese fouled out, Collins walked to place runners at first and second. Cintron singled to left field to return Channell home and place Collins in scoring position. An RBI single from Knowler allowed Collins to run home, extending the Tigers’ lead 3-0. Rounding out the scoring, Hicks singled to load the bases before Kylee Johnson walked to score Cintron.
Since the Tigers made their way through the entire batting lineup in the first inning, they entered the second with a 4-0 lead where Pavese found first after being hit by a pitch before advancing to second on a passed ball. Collins then grounded out to place Pavese at third, and Cintron singled up the middle for her second RBI, giving Clemson a 5-0 advantage.
A scoreless third inning returned the Tigers back to bat in the top of the fourth. Brockenbrough walked. Pavese grounded out, but Brockenbrough was able to advance to second for Collins to single up the middle and score Brockenbrough, increasing Clemson’s lead to 6-0.
Clemson carried its momentum in the later innings. In the fifth, Knowler singled to center field before Hicks singled to left, advancing pinch runner Kennedy Ariail to second. Sarah Breaux followed suit, singling to left field and scoring Ariail. In the following inning, Knowler found her second RBI of the night, doubling to score Pavese from second and finalize the run-rule victory.
Up Next
The Tigers return to McWhorter Stadium for a three-game series against Florida State. Weekend action is scheduled to begin on Friday, March 27 at 6 p.m. on ACCNX. Fans can purchase tickets before the action starts by clicking here or by stopping by the ticket table outside the main gate.
