The idea that tensions would rise to that extreme between himself and current Clemson coach Erik Bakich seems impossible to Mainieri. Though the first-year USC coach admitted he didn’t know Bakich much, they have a great mutual friend in East Carolina coach Cliff Godwin, who has always said great things about Bakich, his former college teammate.

Palmetto Series is here as Clemson baseball takes on South Carolina in a storied rivalry. Here's how to watch the Tigers-Gamecocks series.

It’s finally here. The rivalry is back. South Carolina and No. 13 Clemson will meet for a huge three-game series this weekend, starting on Friday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The series shifts over to Greenville’s Fluor Field on Saturday and concludes at Ray Tanner Field at Founders Park on Sunday.

Once again, the Clemson-South Carolina baseball series will not be available on a linear TV channel such as ESPN. The Palmetto Series is streaming only, meaning that fans will need either a cable or ESPN+ subscription in order to watch the games.

Clemson head coach Erik Bakich didn’t hesitate when asked about the upcoming rivalry series against South Carolina.“It’s the best rivalry in college baseball, bar-none,” Bakich said Tuesday after the Tigers’ win over Winthrop.