True freshman Aiden Knaak tossed six shutout innings, Andrew Ciufo and Nolan Nawrocki drove in three runs apiece, and No. 8 Clemson defeated Kennesaw State, 7-2, Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium for the Tigers’ second weekend series victory of the young season.
The Tigers (6-1 overall) plated two runs in the first inning and got single runs in the third and fourth before a three-run sixth inning put the game out of reach.
Michigan transfer Jimmy Obertop drove in the game’s first run with a single through the right side off Kennesaw State (3-5 overall) starter Smith Pinson. Nawrocki would reach on a run-scoring infield single to give Clemson an early 2-0 lead after one inning.
Pinson (0-2) left after just 2 1/3 innings of work, allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits to go with two walks. His defense committed four errors in the game.
When reliever Nolan Sliver walked Ciufo with the bases loaded in the third, the Tigers had a 3-0 lead. An inning later, Ciufo had his second RBI of the day when he reached on an infield single.
He batted again in the sixth and pulled a two-run single through the right side to score Alden Mathes and Blake Wright. Nawrocki added an RBI sac fly one batter later for a 7-0 lead to cap the Tigers’ scoring.
Wright led Clemson with three hits in a 3-for-4 performance. Ciufo (2-for-3), Overtop (2-4), and Mathes (2-3) all had two hits as the Tigers outhit the Owls, 11-6.
On the bump, Knaak (1-0) allowed just three hits in his six scoreless innings. The right-hander struck out five and walked one, throwing 77 pitches (52 strikes).
Matthew Marchal posted two shutout innings in relief before running into some trouble in the ninth. He struck out five and walked two while allowing two hits. Both Kennesaw State runs charged to Marchal came after freshman Drew Titsworth came on in relief.
UP NEXT: Clemson hosts USC Upstate in midweek play Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast by ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).