Clemson snaps losing streak against SC, wins 7-5

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Kyle Parker asked Clemson baseball coach Jack Leggett for a rest to ease his aching back. He didn’t get the night off, though, and his three hits as a designated hitter helped the Tigers beat South Carolina 7-5.

“I thought it would be better for me and for the team,“ the Tigers’ regular right fielder said of his request. He’s also battling for the starting quarterback job on the football team. “I kind of told him, ‘I don’t know about tonight. I don’t have much in the tank.‘“

Parker was the only Tiger with more than one hit as Clemson (21-11) snapped a six-game losing streak to the Gamecocks (21-11).

“I thought we played pretty well,“ Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. “I thought we had a few defensive lapses, but our pitching in relief was real good.“

Addison Johnson hit a two-run homer for the Tigers, and right-hander Matt Vaughn (2-1) allowed one run in relief. Graham Stoneburner pitched the final two innings for his first save.

USC reliever Will Casey (0-1) gave up four runs in 2 2/3 innings. The Gamecocks gave up nine hits but issued seven walks and hit two batsmen.

“Since I’ve been here, it’s been pretty even, so I never really thought much about the streak,“ said USC coach Ray Tanner, who is 25-21 against Clemson.

The Tigers broke the game open with three runs in the fifth, then added one in the sixth to take a 7-4 lead. Chris Epps and Jason Stolz drove in runs with singles in the fifth. Wilson Boyd’s bases-loaded walk the fourth of the inning produced the run in the sixth.

Johnson’s homer to right center was the big blow as Clemson scored three runs in the third to take a 3-2 lead. Parker drove in the lead run with a double to right.