CLEMSON — South Carolina and Clemson won't play a third baseball game in 2024 after all.
The rivals hoped to reschedule a rain-out of their slated rivalry series opener on March 1 at Founders Park in Columbia. Both programs released statements on April 9, however, saying a date "was unattainable based on remaining competition and academic schedules."
Clemson already secured a series win with a 12-inning victory, 5-4, at Segra Park in Columbia on March 2 and another 5-4 win at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson on March 3.
This will mark the first time since 2000 the two rivals haven't played at least three games in a season. That year, Clemson dropped both games; first 6-3 at home on April 12, and then 9-8 on the road in Columbia on April 19.
Clemson coach Erik Bakich previously said he hoped this year's third game could be rescheduled for a midweek day in April. The juice just wasn't worth the squeeze for both sides, especially considering their travel itineraries.
For instance, the No. 2 Tigers (28-3, 10-2 ACC) were scheduled to play USC Upstate at home on April 9, but the Gamecocks (22-10, 6-6 SEC) have a roadtrip to Chapel Hill for their midweek contest with North Carolina on the same day.
Next week, South Carolina plays at The Citadel midweek while the Tigers are, again, at home versus Charlotte.
South Carolina doesn't have any midweek games the following week, but Clemson has to travel to Athens to play Georgia on April 23, which would make it hard to squeeze a trip to Columbia onto the schedule, especially as finals start.
Final exams for South Carolina students run from April 24-May 1, while Clemson's exams begin on April 29.
