South Carolina (13-3) still managed a 16-11 victory over the Eagles, but not without added tension as the Gamecocks watched a lead dwindle with its top bats on the bench.

Paul Mainieri stood on the grass of Fluor Field in Greenville Saturday — having already lost his first Palmetto State series before every even facing Clemson at home — and sounded like a man who lost his wallet and was prepared to trek through a sewer if that’s what was needed.

Clemson baseball continued its hot start and clinched a series win over South Carolina and Mainieri with a 5-1 victory at Fluor Field in Greenville on Saturday. The No. 13 Tigers, who won 5-3 in Clemson a day earlier, went up two games to none in the rivalry series heading into Sunday’s finale at Founders Park in Columbia.

I’ve never seen anything like it. ... I’m starting to think fans care more about how we do against Clemson than how we do in the SEC.”