Category: NCAA Baseball

Here’s where Clemson ranks in new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll

NCAA Baseball: The Clemson Tigers stayed at No. 2 in the new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, released Monday, April 8.

Clemson remained at No. 2 in the new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, released Monday, April 8.

The Tigers improved to 28-3 overall and went 4-0 last week after a three-game series sweep of Notre Dame in conference play on Sunday.

Coach Erik Bakich’s team also stayed at No. 2 in the new Top 25 rankings for both D1Baseball and Baseball America.

Arkansas (27-3) remained at No. 1 after sweeping Ole Miss in a three-game series over the weekend. It’s the fifth consecutive week that the Razorbacks have been No. 1 in the coaches poll.

The top five remained the same as last week. Texas A&M (28-4) stayed at No. 3, with Tennessee (26-6) at No. 4 and Oregon State (26-4) at No. 5.

Other highly-ranked ACC schools in this week’s coaches poll are No. 7 Duke, No. 9 Florida State, and No. 10 Virginia.

North Carolina fell five spots to No. 12. Wake Forest (No. 15) and Virginia Tech (No. 16) also placed in the Top 25.

Clemson is scheduled to face SC Upstate in midweek action Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium before hosting NC State over the weekend.

Where Clemson ranks in new D1Baseball, Baseball America rankings

Clemson Baseball: Here’s where the Clemson Tigers are in the new Top 25 rankings from both D1Baseball and Baseball America for April 8.

Clemson stayed at No. 2 in the new Top 25 rankings from both D1Baseball and Baseball America, released Monday, April 8.

The Tigers enter the week at 28-3 overall following a three-game sweep of Notre Dame in ACC play to complete a 4-0 week.

The top five in D1Baseball’s rankings remained the same, with Arkansas (27-3) holding at No. 1 following its three-game series sweep of Ole Miss over the weekend. Texas A&M stayed at No. 3, with Tennessee at No. 4 and Oregon State at No. 5.

Clemson also stayed at No. 2 in Baseball America’s new Top 25 rankings. In BA’s rankings, the top four teams all remained the same as D1Baseball’s top four teams. Vanderbilt (25-7) took the No. 5 spot in Baseball America’s rankings.

Monday marked the fifth consecutive week that Arkansas has been ranked No. 1 by both publications.

Clemson will host SC Upstate Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. After that, coach Erik Bakich’s team will host its first weekend series in two weeks when the Tigers take on NC State beginning Friday night at 7 p.m. The games can all be seen on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).

Clemson finishes off sweep of Notre Dame in wild series finale

Clemson Baseball: The second-ranked Tigers survived a late-inning rally by Notre Dame to polish off the Fighting Irish for a three-game sweep in ACC play Sunday.

NOTRE DAME, IND. – No. 2 Clemson scored two runs on a two-out error in the 11th inning to defeat Notre Dame 13-12 at Frank Eck Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers, who swept the series 3-0 and won their sixth game in a row, improved to 28-3 overall and 10-2 in the ACC. The Fighting Irish dropped to 14-15 overall and 2-13 in ACC play.

Clemson scored the game’s first six runs in the top of the fourth inning. A two-out error allowed the first run to score, then Nolan Nawrocki lined a two-run double. Two batters later, Jacob Jarrell belted a three-run homer, his first of the year. Notre Dame responded with an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

In the fifth inning, Jacob Hinderleider, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a double, hit another double, this time scoring two runs. Three batters later, Jarren Purify hit a sacrifice fly. Jimmy Obertop belted a solo homer, his seventh of the season, in the sixth inning. Jarrell added a run-scoring single in the top of the seventh inning to give Clemson an 11-1 lead.

Notre Dame kept the game alive with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Fighting Irish added four runs in the eighth inning and Estevan Moreno hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning. Notre Dame tied the score 11-11 later in the frame when Jack Penney scored from second base on a passed ball with two outs.

In the 11th inning, Jack Crighton hit a two-out grounder to the shortstop. The throw to first base was errant, allowing both baserunners to score.

Rocco Reid (2-0) earned the win. Tiger starter Aidan Knaak did not allow a hit until the seventh inning. He tied his career high for innings pitched (7.0) and gave up just two hits, two unearned runs and no walks with nine strikeouts in throwing only 81 pitches (64 strikes). David Lally Jr. (0-1) suffered the loss.

The Tigers return home to host USC Upstate on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

Ethan Darden leads No. 2 Clemson past Notre Dame for series win

Clemson Baseball: Ethan Darden pitched a career-high seven solid innings to help No. 2 Clemson defeat Notre Dame in ACC play Saturday.

NOTRE DAME, IND. – Sophomore lefthander Ethan Darden pitched 7.0 strong innings to lead No. 2 Clemson to a 3-2 victory over Notre Dame at Frank Eck Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers, who took a 2-0 lead in the series and won their fifth game in a row, improved to 27-3 overall and 9-2 in the ACC. The Fighting Irish dropped to 14-14 overall and 2-12 in ACC play.

With the victory, Clemson secured its 15th regular-season weekend series win in a row dating to 2023. That includes 11 straight in ACC regular-season play.

Darden (5-0) earned the win in a career-long outing. He allowed just five hits, one unearned run and no walks with five strikeouts. Austin Gordon pitched 1.1 innings to record his fourth save of the year. Notre Dame starter Jack Radel (2-1) suffered the loss, as he yielded three hits, two runs and three walks with three strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched.

Estevan Moreno lofted a sacrifice fly in the third inning to score the game’s first run, then Jacob Hinderleider led off the fourth inning with his seventh home run of the season to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Cam Cannarella gave Clemson the lead with a solo homer, his fifth of the year, in the fifth inning. Blake Wright doubled the Tigers’ lead in the seventh inning with a sacrifice fly.

The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

No. 2 Clemson rallies for late comeback at Notre Dame

Clemson Tigers Baseball: The Clemson Tigers scored six runs in the final two innings to earn a 7-3 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in ACC play Friday at Frank Eck Stadium.

For the better part of Friday afternoon, the Clemson Tigers’ bats were held in check.

That all changed in the later innings. The Tigers scored four runs in the eighth inning and tacked on two more in the ninth for a 7-3 come-from-behind victory over Notre Dame in ACC play at Frank Eck Stadium.

Clemson, ranked No. 2 in the nation by every major poll this week, improved to 26-3 overall and 8-2 in ACC play. It was the team’s 15th come-from-behind victory this season.

Held scoreless and without a hit since the second inning, the Tigers started to come alive in the sixth. With his team trailing 3-0, Will Taylor scored Clemson’s first run with an RBI single off Notre Dame reliever Nate Hardman.

In the eighth, Blake Wright doubled home Jimmy Obertop to make it a one-run game at 3-2. The Tigers then caught a break on a misplayed fly ball that dropped between Tito Flores and second baseman Estevan Moreno in shallow right. That allowed Jacob Hinderleider to reach second on a game-tying RBI double.

Taylor followed by clubbing a two-run home run to the opposite field in right to make it a four-run frame while giving Clemson its first lead of the day at 5-3.

Obertop put things out of reach in the ninth when he hit a two-run home run that sneaked just inside of the right field foul pole. It was Obertop’s third hit of the day and capped the game’s scoring.

Clemson outhit Notre Dame, 12-7. Seven of the Tigers’ hits came in the final two innings.

That included 3-for-5 performances from both Obertop and Hinderleider. Taylor (2-3) and Andrew Ciufo (2-4) also had multi-hit games for the Tigers.

Matthew Marchal started and pitched six solid innings after allowing three early runs over the first two frames. Marchal ended the day with four hits allowed. He struck out four batters in a no-decision. Drew Titsworth (3-0) earned the win in relief by striking out the only two batters he faced in the seventh inning.

Austin Gordon pitched a scoreless 1 2/3 innings in relief for his third save.

Ricky Reeth (1-4) suffered the loss for Notre Dame (14-13, 2-11). Reeth allowed allowed all six runs in the eighth and ninth innings on seven hits.

The series resumes Saturday with a scheduled 5:30 p.m. EDT start. Left-hander Ethan Darden will face Notre Dame’s Jack Radel. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

Series preview and where to watch/stream/listen: No. 2 Clemson vs. Notre Dame

Clemson Baseball: Here’s a look at where Clemson Tigers fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s NCAA baseball series against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

No. 2 Clemson heads to South Bend for its next showdown in conference play when the Tigers take on Notre Dame.

The Tigers (25-3 overall, 7-2 ACC), ranked second in every major poll this week, defeated USC Upstate, 11-1, in seven innings on Tuesday and have won every conference series they’ve played thus far. Coach Erik Bakich’s team rallied after a series-opening walk-off loss at Miami last weekend to take two of three games against the Hurricanes.

Matthew Marchal will start Friday’s opener at Notre Dame with Ethan Darden scheduled for Saturday. Aidan Knaak is set to pitch Sunday. Knaak had his best performance as a Tiger in last Saturday’s start at Miami. The freshman right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 batters while allowing just two hits.

Clemson’s pitching staff has compiled a 3.49 ERA and is limiting opponents to a .231 average this season.

With the bats, the Tigers are hitting .294 as a unit with an OPS of .924. They’re averaging 8.4 runs per game. Blake Wright leads the offense in home runs (13) and RBIs (42) and is hitting .331.

Notre Dame (14-12) will start right-handers Matt Bedford (Friday), Jack Radel (Saturday), and Rory Fox (Sunday) in this weekend’s series. The Fighting Irish are just 2-10 in conference play and were swept last weekend at NC State.

Saturday’s game will mark a rare national television appearance for the Tigers; that game will be broadcast by ESPN2.

Series History

Clemson leads the all-time head to head series with Notre Dame, 15-14. The two programs first met in 1994. The Tigers took two of three from the Irish in last year’s three-game series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Where to Watch/Stream/Listen

Here’s s a look at where Clemson fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series at Frank Eck Stadium.

Start Times (ET)

Friday, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m.

Broadcast Info

TV: ESPN2 (Saturday only)

Live Video Stream: ESPN+

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | ClemsonTigers.com

Broadcast Teams

ACC Network Extra (Friday and Sunday): Jacob Irons, Andrew McGuiness, Cesar Sanchez

ESPN2 (Saturday): Mike Ferrin, Gaby Hernandez

Clemson run rules SC Upstate in midweek contest

Clemson Baseball: No. 2 Clemson defeated USC Upstate, 11-1, in seven innings Tuesday.

GREENVILLE, S.C. – No. 2 Clemson scored five runs in the second inning and five runs in the fifth inning in its 11-1 victory in seven innings over USC Upstate at Fluor Field on Tuesday night. The Tigers, who took a 2-0 lead in the season series, improved to 25-3, while the Spartans dropped to 18-12. The two teams conclude their season series next Tuesday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Clemson scored five runs in the second inning on Cam Cannarella’s two-run single, Alden Mathes’ two-run triple and Blake Wright’s RBI groundout. Jacob Jarrell flared a run-scoring single in the third inning, then he ripped a run-scoring double in the fifth inning. Cannarella followed with a sharp grounder to bring home a run, then Mathes and Blake Wright hit run-scoring singles during Clemson’s five-run frame.

The Spartans dented the scoreboard with a run in the fifth inning on Troy Hamilton’s two-out, run-scoring single, ending Clemson’s streak of not allowing a run at 18 innings over three games.

Tiger starter Billy Barrow (4-1) earned the win. He allowed just three hits, one run and two walks with five strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched. Spartan starter Cooper Ellingworth (4-2) suffered the loss.

The Tigers travel to Notre Dame for a three-game series, beginning Friday at 4:30 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

–via Clemson Athletic Department

Clemson jumps to No. 2 in new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll

NCAA Baseball: The Clemson Tigers moved up one spot to No. 2 in the new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, released Monday, April 1.

Clemson moved up one spot to No. 2 in the new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, released Monday, April 1. It’s the Tigers’ highest ranking in the coaches poll this season.

Coach Erik Bakich’s team is 24-3 overall and went 2-1 last week after taking two of three games from Miami in ACC play.

The Tigers also moved up one spot to No. 2 in the new D1Baseball Top 25 rankings, in addition to the team’s No. 2 ranking in Baseball America’s Top 25.

Arkansas (23-3) remained at No. 1 after sweeping reigning national champion LSU in a three-game series over the weekend.

With Clemson at No. 2, Texas A&M (No. 3, 25-3), Tennessee (No. 4, 24-5), and Oregon State (No. 5, 21-4) rounded out the top five.

Other ACC schools ranked in this week’s coaches poll are No. 7 North Carolina and No. 9 Duke. Virginia fell three spots from last week to land at No. 11. Florida State moved up five spots to No. 12, and Virginia Tech stayed at No. 15.

NC State (No. 20) and Wake Forest (No. 22) also placed in the top 25. Wake Forest fell 10 spots in the coaches poll after being swept by North Carolina in Winston-Salem.

Clemson is scheduled to face SC Upstate in midweek action Tuesday in Greenville. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT.

Clemson up to No. 2 in D1Baseball Top 25 rankings

NCAA Baseball: Clemson Baseball moved up one spot to No. 2 in D1Baseball’s Top 25 rankings, released Monday, April 1. The Clemson Tigers remained No. 2 in Baseball America’s Top 25.

Another solid week that included a hard-fought series win at Miami saw the Clemson Tigers move up one spot to No. 2 in the new Top 25 rankings for D1Baseball.

The Tigers (24-3 overall, 7-2 conference) also remained No. 2 in Baseball America’s Top 25 rankings.

Clemson suffered a walk-off loss to Miami in the series opener Thursday night at Mark Light Field but rebounded with a 3-2 win Friday and a 7-0 shutout victory on Saturday behind freshman Aidan Knaak, who pitched his best game of the season.

Knaak (2-0) fired seven shutout innings against the Hurricanes, allowing just two hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked only one to earn his second win of the season.

Arkansas (23-3, 8-1) remained at No. 1 in both rankings after sweeping LSU in Fayetteville over the weekend. The reigning national champion Tigers (20-9, 2-7) fell to No. 18 in D1Baseball’s Top 25 and all the way to No. 25 in Baseball America’s rankings.

Texas A&M (25-3) moved to No. 3 in both rankings after a 4-0 week. Tennessee (24-5) moved to No. 4 in D1Baseball’s rankings and to No. 5 in Baseball America’s rankings. Florida (16-11) took the No. 4 spot in Baseball America’s rankings.

Clemson will face SC Upstate in Greenville in non-conference play Tuesday. Next up for the Tigers in conference action is a trip to South Bend for a three-game series against Notre Dame beginning Friday.

Clemson baseball defeats Miami for latest ACC series win

NCAA Baseball: No. 2 Clemson picked up a 7-0 shutout victory over the Miami Hurricanes at Mark Light Field Saturday. The Tigers won two of three in the series to improve to 24-3 overall and 7-2 in the ACC.

CORAL GABLES, FLA. – Freshman righthander Aidan Knaak pitched 7.0 scoreless innings of two-hit ball with 10 strikeouts to lead No. 2 Clemson to a 7-0 victory over Miami (Fla.) at Mark Light Field on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers, who won the series 2-1, improved to 24-3 overall and 7-2 in the ACC. The Hurricanes dropped to 15-12 overall and 6-6 in ACC play.

It marked Clemson’s first series win over the Hurricanes since 2012 and first at Miami since 2006. It was also the Tigers’ 14th regular-season weekend series win in a row dating to 2023. That includes 10 straight in ACC regular-season play.

Knaak (2-0), a native of Fort Myers, Fla., earned the win by setting career highs for innings pitched and strikeouts while walking just one batter. He only allowed one baserunner past first base and none past second base. Reed Garris and Rocco Reid pitched the final two innings to close out the shutout, Clemson’s first since 2022. Miami starter Herick Hernandez (2-3) suffered the loss, as he yielded seven hits, seven runs (five earned) and three walks with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.

In the first inning, Jacob Hinderleider’s infield single and error on the play plated three runs, then Hinderleider blooped a two-out, run-scoring single in the third inning. Cam Cannarella laced a three-run double in the sixth inning to give Clemson a 7-0 lead.

The Tigers travel to Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C. to take on USC Upstate on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ESPN+. Clemson is the designated visiting team and occupies the third-base dugout.

–via Clemson Athletic Department