A five-run seventh inning, highlighted by a grand slam from freshman Jarren Purify, lifted No. 9 Clemson past Presbyterian, 8-2, Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
It was the first collegiate hit for Purify, the freshman from Detroit’s University Liggett High School who was named the city’s 2023 Prep Baseball Player of the Year.
The Tigers outhit Presbyterian, 10-3, to run their record to 4-0.
Clemson clung to a 3-2 lead to start the seventh inning when Alden Mathes walked and stole second. One out later, Andrew Ciufo singled and stole second to put runners in scoring position.
Caden Barnett then hit Jacob Jarrell with a pitch just above the eye to load the bases. Jarrell would have to leave the game temporarily and was replaced on the bases by Tryston McCladdie.
Jack Crighton drew a bases-loaded walk on five pitches to extend Clemson’s lead to 4-2. Then came the big blow. Purify’s grand slam was the Tigers’ third of the season. It landed in the left field grandstands to make the score 8-2.
That was all the offense Clemson needed. Prior to that, the Tigers got a pair of solo home runs from Cam Cannarella and Jimmy Obertop.
It was the first home run in a Clemson uniform for Obertop, who also delivered a run-scoring single in the fourth inning. Obertop, the senior transfer from Michigan, and Cannarella both finished 3-for-5 to lead the Tigers’ offense.
Clemson used four pitchers in Tuesday’s win. Austin Gordon started and pitched two scoreless innings. Gordon walked two but didn’t allow a hit.
Right-hander Joe Allen followed Gordon with four solid innings in relief to get the win. Allen (1-0) allowed two runs on two hits but retired 12 of the 17 batters he faced on 46 pitches. Ethan Darden added two scoreless innings in relief, and Ty Olenchuck closed things out with a scoreless ninth inning on 14 pitches.
According to Clemson broadcaster and former Sports Information Director Tim Bourret, Tuesday’s win was the 2,999th victory in Clemson baseball history.
The Tigers return to Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday when they open a three-game weekend series with Kennesaw State. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST.