Clate and Clarke Schmidt have competed at everything their entire lives and now they’re vying for momma.

Clemson pitcher Clate Schmidt (left), Renee Schmidt and Clarke Schmidt

“Mom’s mine,” Clarke said on Thursday afternoon, just more than 24 hours before he takes the mound for South Carolina against Clemson.

It was fun, light-hearted banter as the brothers’ rivalry plays out on a national stage again this week. Clarke is the Friday night starting pitcher for the Gamecocks (9-0), which play host to the Tigers (6-1) at 7 p.m. at Carolina Stadium.

Clate is Clemson’s starting pitcher for Saturday’s game, which is set for 2:30 p.m. at Fluor Field in Greenville. The brothers are best of friends and they became even closer this summer through Clate’s battle with cancer.

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Clarke calls his older brother by two years an inspiration but when it comes to competition, they try to top each other. There has been some friendly banter but the two, with both parents there to mediate, will meet up on Thursday night for dinner and a few jabs.

“It’s a little bit lighter until we both pitch because both of us are real superstitious,” Clarke Schmidt said. “You don’t want to go out there and talk all the trash then go blow the game and pitch bad. Once we get done pitching, both of us, the trash talking will pitch up a little more.”

They’re just a small part of one of college baseball’s best rivalries, which will play out over three days in three different cities. Sunday’s series rubber match, unlikely to feature either Schmidt, is set for 2 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

“This is the best rivalry in college baseball and we all know that,” Clarke Schmidt said. “The fans will be as loud as they’ve ever been and you’ll hear things you’ve never heard before. It’s a humbling experience and we’re all grateful for it.”

There was a chance that both brothers would face off against each other this year but Clarke was put on Friday with Clate going on Saturday to start the season.

Unless the two teams match up in the NCAA Tournament, this will be the last time the Schmidt brothers will be in opposing dugouts at the college level. Both have brought memorable moments to their respective programs on the mound and as much as they’ve inspired each other, they’ve inspired those around them.

Those are two great kids and a great family,” South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook said. “We’re lucky to have one on our team. Clate is such an inspiration to his team. That’s a neat family to have gotten to know. With all they’ve been through, the love and respect those brothers have for each other, it’s a special deal.”

It’s a “special deal” for the Schmidts but the competition isn’t quite over between them at their respective schools. And it will never really be over as they go to battle over everything, including momma.

