Category: NCAA Baseball

NCAA Baseball: Series preview and where to watch/stream/listen to No. 2 Clemson vs. Miami

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 Miami Hurricanes.

Entering Easter Weekend, Clemson has been the best team in the ACC — if not the best team in the country.

The Tigers’ 22-2 start is the program’s best mark since 2002 when that year’s club began the year 23-1 and ended the season one win shy of the championship game of the College World Series.

Clemson moved to No. 2 in the nation in this week’s Baseball America’s Top 25 rankings. Coach Erik Bakich’s team also moved up two spots to No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll following a dramatic three-game sweep of previously unbeaten Florida State that produced two incredible come-from-behind victories.

The threat of inclement weather postponed a scheduled Top 25 midweek matchup between Clemson and No. 20 Coastal Carolina earlier this week.

As a team, the Tigers are batting .303 with an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) of .964. Opponents are batting .238 against Clemson pitching, which boasts a 4.29 staff ERA that ranks fifth in the ACC.

Blake Wright hit six home runs and drove in 21 runs in five games last week to take home ACC Player of the Week honors. Wright was also tabbed as the Dick Howser Trophy National Player of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

Next up for the Tigers is Miami (14-10 overall, 5-4 conference) in Coral Gables. The Hurricanes took two out of three games in series against nationally-ranked programs Virginia (No. 8) and North Carolina (No. 11) before dropping two games at Notre Dame last weekend. Miami defeated FIU, 14-7, in midweek play on Tuesday.

The ‘Canes have averaged 8.5 runs per game this season while batting .306 as a team. They’ve struggled on the bump with a staff ERA of 5.75.

Clemson will go with a different rotation for this weekend’s series due to an ankle injury to left-hander Tristan Smith. Smith (2-0, 2.55 ERA) has been the team’s best starter this season but missed his usual Saturday start against Florida State and will be out at least one more week, Bakich said.

In Smith’s place, the Tigers will go with left-hander Ethan Darden. Darden (4-0, 5.09 ERA) pitched a career-high 6 1/3 innings against FSU, allowing four earned runs and seven hits.

Matthew Marchal will make his first start of the season in Thursday’s series opener. In eight relief appearances this season, Marchal is 4-0 with a 3.55 ERA. Freshman right-hander Aidan Knaak (1-0, 4.60 ERA) is scheduled to make his seventh start in Saturday’s finale.

Series History

Miami leads the all-time head to head series with Clemson, 45-32-1. The two programs first met in 1977. Clemson defeated Miami, 11-5, in the championship game of last season’s ACC Tournament in Durham.

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 Miami’s Mark Light Field.

Start Times (ET)

Thursday, 7 p.m.

Friday, 7 p.m.

Saturday: 1 p.m.

Broadcast Info

TV: ACC Network (Thursday only)

Live Stream: ACC Network Extra, ESPN+ (Friday, Saturday)

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | ClemsonTigers.com

Clemson baseball, softball games canceled Tuesday

The Clemson Tigers’ scheduled baseball and softball games Tuesday have been canceled due to the threat of inclement weather.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Due to forecasted inclement weather, Tuesday’s baseball game against Coastal Carolina at Doug Kingsmore Stadium and Tuesday’s softball game against Georgia State at McWhorter Stadium are canceled.

Information on tickets for Tuesday’s canceled games and potential makeup games will be provided by the Clemson University athletic department ticket office once details relative to the potential makeup games are determined.

Clemson baseball travels to Miami (Fla.) for a three-game series, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. on ACC Network. Clemson softball hosts Boston College for a three-game series, beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson’s Blake Wright named ACC Player of the Week

Clemson Tigers baseball: Clemson’s Blake Wright had one of the best weeks in school history by going 13-for-22 (.591) with six home runs, 21 RBIs, and 10 runs scored to take home ACC Player of the Week honors.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Senior infielder Blake Wright (Belleair, Fla.) was named ACC Player-of-the-Week, announced Monday by the league office. He joined Wake Forest’s Chase Burns, who was named ACC Pitcher-of-the-Week, in receiving conference accolades. ACC baseball weekly honors are determined by a vote of a select media panel and are announced on Mondays throughout the regular season.

Wright had one of the best weeks in school history by going 13-for-22 (.591) with six home runs, 21 RBIs, 10 runs, a 1.409 slugging percentage, two walks and a .625 on-base percentage in leading Clemson to a 5-0 record in five games, including a three-game sweep of No. 7 Florida State. He had at least one run, one hit and three RBIs in each of the five games on the week.

He went 4-for-4 with three RBIs against Winthrop on Tuesday, then went 3-for-4 with a Tiger-record-tying three home runs and six RBIs against Presbyterian at Greenville, S.C. on Wednesday.

Then against the Seminoles, he hit three homers with 12 RBIs in three games. He hit a three-run homer in the 15-5 win in seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. In the second game of a doubleheader on Saturday, he hit a grand slam in the ninth inning to tie the score during Clemson’s eight-run ninth inning and 9-8 victory. On Sunday, he went 3-for-5 with another grand slam, this time in the seventh inning to give Clemson the lead for good after the Tigers trailed 11-2 in the sixth inning.

On the season, he is hitting .365 with 35 runs, two doubles, a triple, 13 homers, 40 RBIs, a .779 slugging percentage and .407 on-base percentage in 24 games.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson jumps to No. 3 in new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll

Clemson Baseball: The Clemson Tigers moved up two spots to No. 3 in the new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, released Monday, March 25.

Clemson moved up two spots to No. 3 in the new USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, released Monday, March 25.

Coach Erik Bakich’s team is 22-2 overall and went 5-0 last week after sweeping previously unbeaten Florida State at Doug Kingsmore Stadium over the weekend. It’s the Tigers’ highest ranking this season in the coaches poll.

Arkansas (19-3) remained No. 1 after winning two of three in its SEC series at Auburn. Oregon State (21-2) stayed at No. 2 after a 4-0 week.

With Clemson at No. 3, Texas A&M (21-3) and Tennessee (21-4) rounded out the top five.

Florida moved up two spots to No. 6 after taking two of three from reigning national champion LSU in Baton Rouge over the weekend. LSU dropped three spots in the coaches poll to No. 7.

No. 8 Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Dallas Baptist rounded out the top 10.

South Carolina moved back into the Top 25 with a three-game sweep of Vanderbilt over the weekend. The Gamecocks are at No. 14 in the new coaches poll.

In the ACC, Florida State fell five spots to No. 17 after being swept by Clemson. North Carolina moved up six spots to No. 11, followed by Wake Forest at No. 12 and Duke at No. 13. Virginia Tech (No. 15) and NC State (No. 22) were also ranked.

In other rankings released Monday, Clemson moved to No. 2 in the latest Baseball America Top 25 rankings and are No. 3 in the new D1Baseball rankings.

The Tigers will host No. 20 Coastal Carolina (18-6) Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in midweek action. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

Clemson up to No. 2 in Baseball America rankings; No. 3 in D1Baseball

NCAA Baseball: The Clemson Tigers moved one spot in both Baseball America’s Top 25 rankings and D1Baseball’s Top 25 rankings, released Monday, May 25. The Tigers are up to No. 2 in Baseball America’s Top 25 and No. 3 in D1Baseball’s Top 25.

A 5-0 week that included a three-game series sweep of previously unbeaten Florida State saw the Clemson Tigers move up in the Top 25 rankings for both Baseball America and D1Baseball.

The Tigers improved to 22-2 overall after its sweep of the Seminoles in ACC play. They also defeated both Winthrop and Presbyterian College in midweek action. Those five wins moved Clemson one spot to No. 2 in Baseball America’s new Top 25 rankings and to No. 3 in D1Baseball’s new rankings, both released Monday.

Clemson rallied from 8-1 down in the ninth inning Saturday for an incredible 9-8 walk-off victory over FSU at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. A day later, they erased an 11-2 deficit in a 14-12 comeback win.

Arkansas (19-3) remained at No. 1 in both rankings after taking two of three from Auburn over the weekend.

Oregon State (21-2) stayed at No. 2 in D1Baseball’s rankings while moving ahead one spot to No. 3 in Baseball America’s rankings.

Florida (14-9) and Texas A&M (21-3) rounded out the top five in Baseball America’s rankings. The Aggies were No. 4 in D1Baseball’s rankings while Tennessee was No. 5.

Clemson will host Coastal Carolina Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Chanticleers (18-6) are No. 19 in this week’s D1Baseball rankings. Next up for the Tigers in conference action is a trip to Miami for a three-game series against the Hurricanes beginning Thursday.

Wright in time: Blake Wright slam helps Clemson take down Florida State in series sweep

NCAA Baseball: The Clemson Tigers erased an 11-2 deficit to rally past the Florida State Seminoles for the second straight day in a 14-12 victory and three-game series sweep in ACC play at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Sunday.

Blake Wright and the Clemson Tigers’ bats did it again.

One day after hitting a game-tying grand slam as part of an eight-run ninth-inning rally, the hottest hitter in the ACC launched another bases-loaded blast as part of a seventh-inning rally to help No. 3 Clemson out-slug No. 7 Florida State, 14-12, for a series sweep Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Clemson (22-2 overall, 5-1 ACC) trailed 11-2 entering the bottom of the sixth inning. The Tigers got to within striking distance on run-scoring singles from Wright, Jacob Hinderleider, Cam Cannarella, and Andrew Ciufo, who had a two-RBI hit. Those four hits brought the score to 11-7.

After Lucas Mahlstedt pitched a scoreless seventh for Clemson, the Tigers drew four consecutive walks against Florida State relievers to force in a run and bring the score to 11-8. With the bases still loaded two batters later, Jacob Jarrell drew Clemson’s fifth walk of the inning to force in another run and make it 11-9.

Then came Wright’s latest heroics. The senior infielder sent a 1-1 fastball from Carson Dorsey well into the left field seats to empty the bases for his eighth home run in nine games.

It was the latest in a series of clutch moments for Wright, who had five RBIs in Sunday’s game and finished 3-for-5. The Sunshine State native has 13 hits in his last five games (a span of 22 at-bats), including six home runs and 21 RBIs.

In the three games against FSU, Wright hit three home runs and finished 6-for-14 with 10 RBIs. He now has 13 homers and 40 RBIs through 24 games while batting .365.

Clemson added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Ciufo singled off Joe Charles to make the score 14-11.

Rob Hughes completed a five-out save in the ninth inning. The right-hander allowed his first run of the season when Marco Dinges homered leading off for Florida State.

After walking Drew Faurot on a 3-2 pitch that missed inside, Hughes got Jaxson West, Alex Lodise and Max Williams to strike out swinging to end the game for his third save.

Mathes (3-for-5), Ciufo (3-for-4) and Cannarella (2-for-5) joined Wright as players that finished with two hits or more for the Tigers. Clemson totaled 14 hits in the game and 36 in the three-game sweep.

Mahlstedt (1-0) got the win in relief after throwing two scoreless innings. Dorsey (2-2) suffered the loss for Florida State.

Aidan Knaak started for Clemson and ran into trouble early. The big blow was a three-run home run from James Tibbs over the head of Cannarella in center field to stake the Seminoles to a 5-0 lead in the second inning. Tibbs homered off Knaak again in the fifth.

Conner Whitaker started for Florida State (19-3, 3-3) and scattered two runs through the first five innings before running into trouble in the sixth. He ended up charged with six runs on nine hits allowed in a no-decision.

UP NEXT

Clemson will host another top 25 team when Coastal Carolina visits Doug Kingsmore Stadium Tuesday for a scheduled 6 p.m. EDT start. Coastal Carolina is ranked No. 16 in the latest USA TODAY Sports coaches poll.

“Just how we drew it up”: eight-run Clemson rally stuns Florida State in walk-off

NCAA Baseball: The Clemson Tigers used an eight-run ninth inning rally to stun the Florida State Seminoles for a 9-8 come-from-behind victory in ACC play Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Leading by seven runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Florida State needed just three outs to secure a victory over Clemson to earn a doubleheader split.

Good thing the Tigers have some of the hottest bats in the nation.

Jacob Hinderleider had already hit a three-run home run his first time up in the ninth. When he batted again later that inning, he lined a single to right-center that scored Jimmy Obertop to complete an eight-run rally and give No. 3 Clemson a stunning 9-8 walk-off victory Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in a battle of two top 10 teams.

The win capped a doubleheader sweep of Florida State, which entered the day 19-0 and ranked No. 7 in Baseball America’s latest Top 25 rankings.

Clemson batted 12 times in the ninth. Hinderleider, the senior transfer from Davidson College, was in the middle — and end — of it all.

His three-run home run off Seminoles reliever John Abraham got the Tigers to within striking distance at 8-4. After Andrew Ciufo flied out for the first out of the ninth, Clemson’s bats went right back to work.

The Tigers loaded the bases after a double from Jacob Jarrell, a walk to Cam Cannarella, and a single from Nolan Nawrocki.

Who better than arguably the hottest hitter in the nation to have up with the bases loaded?

Blake Wright sent the first pitch he saw from FSU reliever Carson Dorsey to deep center field for a game-tying grand slam that sent the home crowd and Clemson’s bench into delirium. Counting game one of the doubleheader earlier that day, it was Wright’s second home run of the day and his eighth in the last nine games.

The ninth-inning fun was far from over.

Obertop was hit by a pitch and Alden Mathes walked to put the winning run in scoring position for Hinderleider, who ripped the game-winner off right-hander Joe Charles to complete one of the most improbable comebacks in Clemson history.

The final total for the Tigers’ ninth inning: eight runs on five hits. Hinderleider paced the Clemson offense for the game with three hits in a 3-for-5 performance. Wright (2-for-5) had two hits to continue his hot hitting. His game-tying blast was his 12th homer of the season.

“Before the game, we talked about getting into a huge deficit. and then we score eight in the bottom of the ninth,” Tigers coach Erik Bakich said afterwards. “Just how we drew it up.”

Clemson’s comeback ruined Florida State ace Jamie Arnold’s bid for his sixth win in as many starts this season. The left-hander, who led all NCAA Division I pitchers with a 0.33 ERA entering the game, proved again why he’s having one of the best seasons of anyone in the country.

After getting into some first-inning trouble, Arnold settled in to pitch seven solid frames. He allowed just one run and three hits, striking out nine and walking two. Mathes had an RBI single to score Cannarella and give Clemson an early 1-0 lead. Arnold responded by retiring 18 of the next 20 batters he faced.

Hudson Rowan pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Florida State but began the ninth by plunking Obertop with a pitch and walking Will Taylor.

Dorsey (2-1) suffered the loss in relief for the Seminoles. All five batters he faced reached base.

Clemson used four pitchers in the game. Austin Gordon lasted just two innings in his sixth start, allowing two runs on four hits. Rocco Reid and Joe Allen both yielded three runs apiece over the next five innings as Florida State built an 8-1 lead.

Freshman Jacob McGovern (1-0) earned the win for Clemson after tossing two scoreless innings in relief. The freshman from nearby Seneca High School retired six of the seven batters he faced in only his second collegiate appearance.

Clemson won the first game of the doubleheader, 15-5 in seven innings. With Saturday’s wins, the Tigers improved to 21-2 overall and 4-1 in ACC play. Florida State fell to 19-2 overall and 3-2 in conference action.

The series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX).

Clemson hands Florida State first loss in doubleheader

Clemson Baseball: The third-ranked Tigers defeated seventh-ranked Florida State in game one of a doubleheader Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, 15-5.

CLEMSON, S.C. – No. 3 Clemson overcame an early 4-0 deficit to defeat No. 7 Florida State 15-5 in seven innings in the first game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers, who took a 1-0 lead in the series, improved to 20-2 overall and 3-1 in the ACC, while the Seminoles dropped to 19-1 overall and 3-1 in ACC play. The game ended due to the 10-run rule.

Jaime Ferrer belted a grand slam in the top of the first inning, then Will Taylor grounded a two-out, run-scoring single in the bottom of the first inning. In the second inning, Cam Cannarella hit a three-run homer, his fourth of the year, to tie the score 4-4. The Tigers took the lead in the third inning on Andrew Ciufo’s fielder’s choice, then Cannarella lined a two-out, run-scoring single later in the frame.

Alex Lodise cut Clemson’s lead in half in the top of the fifth inning on a leadoff home run, then Jacob Hinderleider belted a two-run homer, his fifth of the season, in the bottom of the fifth inning. Later in the inning with two out, Blake Wright lined a three-run homer, his 11th of the season and seventh in the last eight games, to give Clemson an 11-5 lead. In the seventh inning, Alden Mathes ripped a two-run double and Nolan Nawrocki added a two-out, run-scoring single.

Starter Ethan Darden (4-0) earned the win, as he allowed seven hits, five runs (four earned) and one walk with four strikeouts in a career-long 6.1 innings pitched. Florida State starter Cam Leiter (4-1) suffered the loss, as he surrendered six hits, six runs and five walks with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched.

The series continues Saturday with the second game of the doubleheader at approximately 4:45 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

–Courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications

NCAA Baseball: Where to Watch/Stream/Listen to No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 7 Florida State

Clemson Baseball: Here’s s a look at where Tigers fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series against Florida State.

Clemson and Florida State are two names that go together a lot these days.

The Tigers and Seminoles are the ACC’s most dominant football programs with the most amount of value to a conference. That’s why they’re both suing the ACC in open court to challenge the league’s Grant-of-Rights clause.

Separate of that, Clemson and Florida State also represent the two teams atop the ACC’s baseball standings through six weeks.

The Tigers (19-2) are ranked No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll, seven spots ahead of No. 12 Florida State. Coach Link Jarrett’s Seminoles have started their season a perfect 19-0 and are ranked No. 7 by Baseball America, which has the Tigers at No. 3 in its Top 25 rankings.

The start of this weekend’s series was pushed back to Saturday due to the threat of inclement weather Friday. Because of that, the two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday before Sunday’s series finale.

Florida State has three talented weekend starters in its rotation. Sophomore left-hander Jamie Arnold has been FSU’s best starter this season with a 5-0 record and a minuscule 0.33 ERA in five outings. Arnold has a 9/1 strikeout to walk ratio in 27 2/3 innings pitched. He struck out 12 without allowing a walk over 5 2/3 innings in his most recent outing against Notre Dame last Saturday.

Cam Leiter, a UCF transfer, is 4-0 with a 3.37 ERA in five starts, and Sunday’s scheduled starter Conner Whitaker is 3-0 with a 3.75 mark in five starts.

Austin Gordon, Tristan Smith, and Aidan Knaak are scheduled to pitch for Clemson. Smith has been the Tigers’ ace this season through five starts with a 2-0 record and 2.55 ERA. Knaak, a freshman from Fort Myers, Fla., is 1-0 with a 3.42 ERA in four outings as the Tigers’ Sunday starter.

At the plate, Blake Wright has been on a tear for Clemson. Wright totaled seven hits in the Tigers’ two non-conference victories (vs. Winthrop and Presbyterian) earlier this week. He became the 17th player in Clemson history to record three home runs in one game in the Tigers’ victory over Presbyterian Wednesday. Wright leads the team with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs.

As a team, Clemson is averaging 8.3 runs per game while batting .297 with a .420 on-base percentage. Tigers pitching has a staff ERA of 3.81. Florida State is averaging 10.4 runs per game and hitting .356 with a staff ERA of 2.79.

Series History

Florida State leads the all time head to head series with Clemson, 83-74-1. The series dates back to 1958. Clemson took two of three in last year’s regular season series at Dick Howser 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.

Dates: March 23-24

Start Times (ET):

Saturday (Game 1), 1 p.m.

Saturday (Game 2), 4:45 p.m.

Sunday: 1 p.m.

Where: Doug Kingsmore Stadium

Broadcast Info

TV/Live Stream: ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), ESPN+

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | ClemsonTigers.com

Schedule Change: Clemson-Florida State series opener pushed back to Saturday

Clemson Baseball: With the threat of inclement weather, Friday’s schedule series opener between the Tigers and Florida State has been pushed back to Saturday. Both teams will play a doubleheader Saturday before the series wraps Sunday.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Due to forecasted inclement weather on Friday evening, the series opener between Florida State and Clemson on Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium is postponed. The new series schedule is as follows…

• Game 1 – Saturday at 1 p.m.
• Game 2 – Saturday approximately one hour after Game 1 ends
• Game 3 – Sunday at 1 p.m. (as previously scheduled)

Live video for all three games of the series is available on ACC Network Extra. All three contests are also still scheduled as nine-inning games.

Tickets for Friday’s originally scheduled game are valid for the second game of the doubleheader, while tickets for Saturday’s originally scheduled game are valid for the first game of the doubleheader. The stadium will be cleared in between games.

–Courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications