Wrapping up the weekend, March 2-4

Clemson's 8-7 win over South Carolina at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Sunday gave the Tigers their fourth straight series win over their hated rivals in yet another thrilling finish in the rivalry,

The Tigers (10-1) bolted to a 6-0 lead after four innings, but T.J. Hopkins got the USC comeback started with a three-run homer in the fifth. Carolina scratched out another run in the sixth, but Logan Davidson rebuilt Clemson's lead to three with a homer in the bottom of the inning.

The Gamecocks (7-5) got a run in the eighth and two in the ninth to tie the score, but Clemson had some drama coming. Robert Jolly drew a one-out walk and Drew Wharton followed blast to the right-field fence. The ball rebounded far enough away from USC outfielder Carlos Cortes to allow Jolly to score barely ahead of the throw home.

Clemson's Patrick Cromwell had a home run among his three hits. Davidson, Chris Williams and Justin Hawkins added two hits apiece.

South Carolina got two hits apiece from Hopkins, Noah Campbell and Jacob Olson. The only salve for Gamecocks fans might be the rally to tie the score after showing little offensive success over the first four innings.

Davidson was named the winner of the Bob Bradley Award as the most valuable player for Clemson in the series.  He had three hits and drew six walks. Adam Hill, who struck out 14 in seven innings in Friday's opener, took the corresponding Tom Price Award for the Gamecocks.

Bradley and Price were the longtime sports information directors at their respective schools. I knew both of them well, and worked for Price one year as a student go-fer. Believe me. they were two of the best in their profession.

Clemson returns to action Tuesday with a 6:30 p.m. home game against Wofford. South Carolina plays Appalachian State in Charlotte's BB&T Ballpark at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Elsewhere
* College of Charleston rallied from three runs down and beat Georgia, 6-4, and complete what school officials said was a first-ever three-game sweep of a "Power 5" conference team. Luke Manzo's two-run single broke a 4-4 tie and capped a three-run eight-inning rally for coach Chad Holbrook's team.

* Matt Beaird's grand slam highlighted and eight-run eighth inning as Coastal Carolina beat Radford, 13-7 in the Coastal Carolina Challenge. The Chanticleers also got homers from Kevin Woodall Jr. and Parker Chavers.

* Wofford also had some eight-inning magic in a 7-6 Sunday victory to complete a three-game sweep of Pennsylvania. The Terriers trailed, 6-3, entering the eighth, but McClain Bradley hit a two-run homer and Max McDougald completed the comeback with a two-run single.

* Furman took the decisive game of its series with Central Connecticut State, 9-1, behind a solid start from Grant Schuermann. Schuermann, Furman's normal Friday starter, was pushed back to Sunday because he had a midweek appearance -- and save -- in a victory at South Carolina. He scattered five hits and a run while walking one and striking out six in seven innings.  Ben Anderson went 2-for-5 with four RBIs to cap a big weekend from the leadoff spot. He was 7-for-13 with a double, a triple and two walks against Central Connecticut State. He also was 1-for-2 in the win at South Carolina.

*The Citadel won the rubber game of its series with neighboring rival Charleston Southern, 6-2,  Johnathan Sabo and Taylor Cothran each two hits, including a homer. The Bulldogs took a shutout into the ninth inning.

* Newberry held on for a 12-10 win the rubber series of a South Atlantic Conference game at Mars Hill after taking an early 12-1 lead. Tyler Ackard, Ben Herring and Harrison Kinard had three hits apiece for the Wolves, while four teammates added two apiece.

* USC Aiken rallied late to beat Flagler, 5-4 and avoid being swept at home in the Peach Belt Conference series. Chandler Rodgers' two-run singled capped a three-run eighth-inning rally as the Pacers handed the Saints their first PBC loss in nine games.

* Limestone hit three home runs in a 17-5 win at Francis Marion to clinch a series victory. Chase Allen drove in six runs for the Saints.

* It was a good Sunday for five of the state's six junior college teams. Florence-Darlington Tech, USC Lancaster, USC Sumter and USC Union also won doubleheaders. In addition USC Salkehatchie beat Southern Union State and host Spartanburg Methodist as part of a three-game round robin at Mooneyham Field.