Pitching wins games

Sure, it's early in the season, but if Clemson and South Carolina continue to get pitching like they have so far, they're probably going to make some noise in their conference races.

Overall, both staffs were brilliant in Saturday's first meeting between the teams this season. There were two exceptions: Clemson's Graham Stoneburner was touched up for three straight hits in the ninth; USC freshman Nolan Belcher struggled with control like he did in his first career start last Sunday against Duquesne. The left-hander walked the three Clemson batters he faced.

But Alex Farotto (left), who has had something of a feast-or-famine history as a reliever himself, pitched out of the mess made by Belcher by getting a double play and allowed only a ninth-inning walk as he got the win.

Tigers relief Casey Harman also was strong, striking out six in 3 1/3 innings.

The starters were effective, too. USC's Sam Dyson took a perfect game into the fifth inning, and Clemson's Trey Delk pitched around a few problems in his four-inning stint against the program he began his college career with.

The old saw is that pitchers are usually ahead of the hitters early in a season. Both USC coach Ray Tanner and Clemson's Jack Leggett may be hoping that is true.

The Gamecocks missed several scoring opportunities for the second straight game, while Clemson was able to muster only two hits and five walks against the Gamecocks.

Still, if the pitching holds up, look out.