Starting shortstop Benjamin Blackwell will be returning to Clemson for one final season. Blackwell shared his decision to return next season for his final year of eligibility on Thursday via social media.
“This past year at Clemson has been a dream come true. It has been an honor to put on the Orange & Purple every day and it’s something that I never take lightly,” the shortstop said. “So much goes into making Clemson special, including the coaches, the support staff and our fans. There is no better environment in college baseball than Doug Kingsmore Stadium. I’m very proud to be a Tiger forever. To my coaches and teammates… thank you for believing in me from the start and pushing me to be better day in and day out. It has been a privilege to compete with each one of you.”
“With that being said, I am not ready to leave paradise quite yet and am beyond excited to announce that I’m returning to Clemson for my final season in 2023! #UnfinishedBusiness”
In his lone season at Clemson, Blackwell hit .327 with three home runs, 33 RBIs and 52 runs while sporting a .428 on-base percentage. The Fairfax, Va. native was one of just three Tigers to start all 58 games last spring and the only Tiger to start every game at the same position.
Prior to his time at Clemson, Blackwell spent three seasons with the Dayton Flyers, hitting .309 with six homers, 62 RBIs, 96 runs and 30 steals in 114 games (114 starts).
One final year! Let’s run it back! pic.twitter.com/KZX8yLaweb
— Benjamin Blackwell (@BennBlackwell) July 29, 2022
[mm-video type=video id=01g95xyvaaf7sc2r8wz2 playlist_id=01fvdd1xkgcx6zr5s5 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g95xyvaaf7sc2r8wz2/01g95xyvaaf7sc2r8wz2-ef51b5048ea298e9e80d8f945de30f85.jpg]
[listicle id=3779]