Clemson, Leggett seeking needed wins over South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Clemson coach Jack Leggett is treating his latest series with South Carolina just like any other. The Tigers, though, understand the time is now to turn around a rivalry series the Gamecocks have largely owned the past decade.

Clemson (5-2) has lost 13 of 16 contests with South Carolina (6-1) and hasn’t won a season series from their state rivals since 2006. The Tigers took two of the three regular-season games in 2010, yet lost two straight to the Gamecocks in that year’s College World Series — the first of South Carolina’s consecutive CWS crowns.

So it hasn’t always been the easiest of times for Leggett with fans who consider the baseball rivalry second only to the school’s yearly football game.

The three-game series starts Friday night at Clemson.