Aidan Knaak – Syndication Server

Where Clemson Tigers rank in new D1Baseball Preseason Top 25

The Tigers rank lower in D1Baseball’s rankings than in Perfect Game’s preseason Top 25 college baseball poll.

There’s less than a month remaining before the Clemson baseball team officially takes the field for the first time in 2025.

The Tigers will open the season in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, on Feb. 14 against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at noon ET.

On Monday, D1Baseball unveiled its preseason Top 25 rankings. Clemson was ranked No. 15, one spot behind ACC rival Wake Forest and one spot ahead of Tim Corbin’s Vanderbilt Commodores.

The Texas A&M Aggies were the preseason No. 1 team in D1Baseball’s rankings, followed by the Virginia Cavaliers at No. 2. The LSU Tigers were No. 3, with the defending College World Series champion Tennessee Volunteers No. 4. The Arkansas Razorbacks rounded out the top five.

Clemson ranked No. 8 in the Perfect Game Baseball Preseason Poll, released last week.

A season ago, coach Erik Bakich’s Tigers entered the season ranked No. 9 in the USA TODAY Sports Baseball Coaches Poll. The Tigers had a memorable season in 2024, winning 44 games and advancing to a Super Regional for the first time in 14 years.

The Tigers were ranked No. 8 in the final Coaches Poll after losing to a Florida Gators team that got hot in the NCAA Tournament.

Clemson returns several players from their 2024 roster, namely outfielder Cam Cannarella and last year’s freshman sensation, right-hander Aidan Knaak. Cannarella hit .337 with 11 home runs and 16 doubles while going all out in 58 games.

Knaak was the surprise of the Tigers’ pitching staff, going 5-1 with a 3.31 ERA in a team-high 15 starts. He totaled 108 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings while holding opponents to a .221 average.

The Tigers’ home opener at Doug Kingsmore Stadium is scheduled for Feb. 19 against Presbyterian.

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Cam Cannarella, Aidan Knaak earn All-America honors

Two Clemson baseball players earned All-American honors Wednesday.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Sophomore outfielder Cam Cannarella (Hartsville, S.C.) and freshman righthander Aidan Knaak (Fort Myers, Fla.) were named third-team All-Americans by NCBWA on Wednesday. They are Clemson’s 67th and 68th All-Americans in history. It marked the second time in as many years that Clemson had multiple All-Americans in one season.

Cannarella, a first-team freshman All-American and ACC Freshman-of-the-Year in 2023, hit .337 with 16 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, 60 RBIs, 58 runs and a .417 on-base percentage in 58 games in 2024 while battling injury for his last 54 games. He also led the team with 29 multiple-hit games.

In his career, Cannarella is hitting .363 with 32 doubles, six triples, 18 homers, 107 RBIs, 130 runs, a .440 on-base percentage and 24 steals in 117 games.

Knaak, the NCBWA National Freshman Pitcher-of-the-Year, was 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA, .221 opponents’ batting average and 108 strikeouts against 29 walks in 83.1 innings pitched over 15 starts in 2024. He led the team in starts on the mound, innings pitched and strikeouts. His 108 strikeouts were the most by a Tiger freshman in history and the most by any Clemson pitcher since 2017 (Charlie Barnes).

Clemson had a 13-2 record in the 15 starts by Knaak, who only allowed 14 extra-base hits. He was 4-1 with a 2.55 ERA, .208 opponents’ batting average and 75 strikeouts against 15 walks in 53.0 innings pitched in nine ACC starts as well.

Knaak became the fourth Tiger freshman in history to earn All-America honors, joining Taylor Harbin (2005), the late Reed Rohlman (2015) and Seth Beer (2016). Knaak also became the first Tiger freshman pitcher to earn All-America accolades.

Clemson pitcher Aidan Knaak named freshman first-team All-American

Knaak was named first-team freshman All-American.

LYNCHBURG, VA. (NCBWA) – A total of 34 standout college baseball players from every part of the country are featured on the 2024 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Freshman All-American Team, the organization announced today.

The 2024 NCBWA Freshman All-American Team features players from 32 different schools and 16 different conferences.

The two All-American teams are also made up of 13 conference Rookie of the Year winners. In addition, 23 all-conference honorees appear on the team. The teams also include one conference Freshman Pitcher of the Year.

Duke (2 first team) and Arkansas (1 first team, 1 second team) were tied for the lead with two Freshman All-American honorees each. The ACC (6 first team, 1 second team) and SEC (3 first team, 4 second team) led all conferences with seven players each selected to the two teams combined. A total of six additional conferences (Big Ten, Big 12, Big West, MVC, Pac-12, WAC) had two Freshman All-Americans each.

The Freshman All-American team is voted upon by the membership of the NCBWA. The 2024 NCBWA National Freshman Player of the Year and National Freshman Pitcher of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, June 11.

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. For more information about the NCBWA, visit the association’s official Web site, www.ncbwa.com.

2024 NCBWA Freshman All-America Team

First Team

C Daniel Jackson, Wofford
1B Henry Ford, Virginia
2B Steven Milam, LSU
3B Justin Lebron, Alabama
SS Daniel Cuvet, Miami (Fla.)
OF Drew Burress, Georgia Tech
OF AJ Gracia, Duke
OF David Mendez, Dayton
DH Brandon Compton, Arizona State
UT Kyle Johnson, Duke
SP Aidan Knaak, Clemson
SP Dominic Voegele, Kansas
SP Brett Lanman, Abilene Christian
SP Griffin Naess, Cal Poly
RP Gabe Gaeckle, Arkansas
RP Jacob Tabor, Toledo
RP Jacob Vogel, Indiana

Second Team

C Luke Stevenson, North Carolina
1B Luke Gaffney, Purdue
2B TJ Pompey, Texas Tech
3B Maddox Moloney, Oregon
SS Gavin Grahovac, Texas A&M
OF Caden Bogenpohl, Missouri State
OF Tre Phelps, Georgia
OF Kyle Jones, Stetson
DH Cade Ladehoff, NJIT
UT Eric Paulsen, Stony Brook
SP Colin Fisher, Arkansas
SP Chase Morgan, Louisiana
SP Kenton Deverman, Evansville
SP Logan Reddemann, San Diego
RP Ryan Hetzler, Cal Baptist
RP Dylan Loy, Tennessee
RP Ricky Ojeda, UC Irvine

Aidan Knaak, Blake Wright, Cam Cannarella earn ACC honors

Aidan Knaak, Blake Wright, and Cam Cannarella were recognized by the ACC Monday.

Three Clemson Tigers baseball players received All-Conference Team recognition by the ACC Monday.

Right-hander Aidan Knaak was named a First Team All-ACC selection, as well as being named to the All-ACC Freshman Team for his performance during the regular season. Knaak wrapped up a stellar freshman season by going 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA in a team-best 13 starts.

Second baseman Blake Wright received Second Team All-ACC honors. Wright led the Tigers in batting average (.341), home runs (21) and RBIs (70) during the regular season. He was the only Tigers player to play in all 53 games. Wright was recently named a semifinalist for both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award.

Centerfielder Cam Cannarella was received Third Team All-ACC recognition. After a sensational freshman season in 2023, Cannarella followed it up with a strong 2024 campaign in which he batted .332 with nine home runs, 16 doubles, 51 RBIs, and a .411 on-base percentage in 51 games. Cannarella’s .332 average was second-best on the team.

Of the major individual awards announced by the ACC Monday, Florida State’s James Tibbs III took home Player of the Year honors. Wake Forest’s Chase Burns, the NCAA Division I strikeout leader (169 strikeouts in 89 innings pitched), was named Pitcher of the Year.

Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress was named Freshman of the Year, and North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt earned Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row.

North Carolina’s Scott Forbes was named Coach of the Year. The Tar Heels won the ACC regular-season championship and are the No. 1 seed in this week’s ACC Tournament. Clemson is the No. 2 seed and will face Miami in the Tigers’ tournament opener Thursday in Charlotte.

Clemson baseball wins 40th game by sweeping Boston College in regular-season finale

Clemson baseball sweeps Boston College to close out regular season with 40th victory.

Aidan Knaak struck out a career-high 11 batters in his final tune-up before postseason play, and No. 4 Clemson scored 10 runs in the final four innings Saturday to win its regular-season finale, 10-0, over Boston College in eight innings at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The Tigers earned their 40th win in their regular-season finale to finish the season 40-13 overall and 20-10 in the ACC.

It took a while for the Tigers’ bats to get going. After being shut out through four innings, Clemson finally broke through in the fifth by plating two runs courtesy of small ball.

Nolan Nawrocki was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, then stole second and advanced to third on an error. Nawrocki scored the game’s first run on a wild pitch from Boston College starter Michael Farinelli.

Later that inning, Blake Wright drove in a run with an RBI sacrifice fly to center for a 2-0 lead. Wright was one of 12 Clemson seniors honored in an on-field ceremony before the game as part of the team’s Senior Day festivities.

Jacob Jarrell sent an RBI single up the middle to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the sixth off Eagles reliever Kyle Kipp. Nawrocki followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to score Tristan Bissetta to make it 4-0.

On Travis Lane’s first pitch of the seventh, Wright hit his team-best 21st home run and 70th RBI for a 5-0 lead. The Tigers tacked on two more runs that inning. Bissetta added an RBI single and Jimmy Obertop scored on a double play for a 7-0 lead.

In the eighth, Clemson loaded the bases on three consecutive walks from reliever Aidan Crowley to start the inning. Cam Cannarella then lined a two-run single to right off Beck Milner that made it 9-0.

Clemson coach Erik Bakich came out of the dugout to announce a pinch-runner for Wright, who received a standing ovation from the home crowd and a warm greeting from everyone on the Tigers’ bench. Teammates met Wright before he reached the dugout steps for a round of handshakes and high-fives.

After an intentional walk to Bissetta loaded the bases, Jarrell then drew a walk on four pitches to score the winning run for his 22nd RBI of the season. It was the Tigers’ sixth run-rule victory of the year.

Clemson totaled eight hits in the victory with Wright (2-for-2), Cannarella (2-5) and Bissetta (2-4) picking up two hits apiece. Wright reached base four times, finishing with two hits and two walks. Bissetta reached base three times.

On the mound, Knaak (5-1) bounced back to earn his fifth victory in one of his most dominant outings of the year.

Despite scattering eight hits over six innings, the freshman right-hander overwhelmed Eagles hitters early by striking out seven of the first 10 batters he faced.

Knaak ended his day by striking out Vince Cimini to end the sixth inning. He threw 81 pitches (62 strikes) over six scoreless frames. Knaak did not allow a walk. His 11 strikeouts broke his previous high of 10 (on March 30 at Miami and April 14 vs. NC State).

Lucas Mahlstedt worked two scoreless innings in relief of Knaak.

Farinelli (0-6) suffered the loss for Boston College, which ended its season 22-31 overall and 8-22 in conference play.

The Tigers, ranked seventh in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll and fourth in D1Baseball’s Top 25, will be the No. 2 seed in next week’s ACC Tournament at Truist Field in Charlotte. North Carolina earned the No. 1 seed as the regular-season conference champion.

Preview and Where to Watch, Stream, Listen: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech

Clemson Tigers Baseball: A series preview, plus how Clemson fans can watch, stream and listen to the Tigers’ weekend series vs. Georgia Tech.

It’s officially the home stretch of the regular season for No. 4 Clemson as it heads into this weekend’s conference series against Georgia Tech.

The Tigers (34-9 overall, 15-6 ACC) have just three remaining weekend series left, beginning with Friday’s series opener against the Yellow Jackets (27-15, 11-10).

Due to inclement weather forecasts, the two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader Friday beginning at noon EDT at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Game 2 will begin approximately 60 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1. Sunday’s series finale is still scheduled for 1 p.m. EDT.

Clemson is in the driver’s seat for a top national seed for the 2024 NCAA Tournament. For the second straight week, coach Erik Bakich’s club is projected as a No. 3 national seed in the latest Field of 64 projections from On3, Baseball America and D1Baseball. Only No. 1 Texas A&M and No. 2 Arkansas are projected higher.

The Tigers will be facing a Georgia Tech team that’s been hot at the plate over the past month. The Yellow Jackets led the ACC in runs per game (9.3) and on-base percentage (.436) in April. Those numbers allowed Georgia Tech to win every series during the month (against Pitt, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and most recently Miami).

Trey Yunger leads the Yellow Jackets in hitting with a .381 average in 39 games. Drew Burress is the team’s biggest power threat with 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. He has a slash line of .368/.486/.798 and has played in all 42 games this season. Georgia Tech is batting .315 as a team, good for fourth in the ACC.

For its part, Clemson sits atop the ACC standings and is two full games ahead of Florida State. The Tigers swept the Seminoles in a memorable head-to-head series earlier this year and are coming off a 2-2 week that saw them take two of three at Louisville. They’ve lost only one weekend series this season.

Freshman sensation Aidan Knaak (4-0, 2.59 ERA) will return to the rotation this weekend after being held back a start last week. Bakich said on ACC PM Wednesday that he’d wanted to give Knaak a weekend off against Louisville. Tristan Smith (2-0, 3.26) will start Game 1 of Friday’s doubleheader with Ethan Darden (5-2, 4.06) scheduled to start Game 2. The Tigers’ collective 4.08 team ERA is just a nick behind North Carolina’s 4.02 mak for best in the ACC.

Georgia Tech will counter with right-hander Aeden Finateri (5-1, 4.40 ERA) and southpaw Cam Jones (3-1, 4.07) in Friday’s doubleheader. Tate McKee (4-3, 6.39) is scheduled to face Knaak in Sunday’s finale.

Alden Mathes leads Clemson in hitting (.344) and on-base percentage (.469). Blake Wright and Jimmy Obertop have combined for 31 home runs as the main power threats in the Tigers’ lineup. Cam Cannarella, meanwhile, is coming off his best week of the season. The sophomore center fielder was named ACC Player of the Week on Monday.

Per Clemson Sports Information:

“Cannarella was 9-for-20 (.450) with two homers, two doubles, six RBIs, four runs, an .850 slugging percentage, two walks and a .500 on-base percentage in four games on the road, including a series win at Louisville over the weekend.

He had at least two hits in each of the four games, including a homer at No. 17 Georgia on Tuesday. He went 7-for-14 with a homer, two doubles and five RBIs in the three-game series at Louisville.”

The Tigers are averaging 8.0 runs per game and are batting .294 as a team.

SERIES HISTORY

Clemson leads the all-time head to head series, 120-116-3. The two schools first met in baseball in 1902. The Tigers dropped two of three at Georgia Tech in their last meeting in March of 2023.

Where to Watch/Stream/Listen

Here’s a look at how Clemsons fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series against Georgia Tech.

When: May 3-5

Where: Doug Kingsmore Stadium

Start Times (ET)

Friday (Game 1), noon EDT

Friday (Game 2), approximately 60 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Broadcast Info

Live Video Stream: ACC Network Extra, ESPN+

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | TuneIn App

Clemson Radio:

ACC Network Extra: William Qualkinbush, Bobby Moranda

Clemson Athletic Network: Don Munson, Bob Mahony

Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich visits ACC PM

Clemson Tigers baseball coach Erik Bakich made a special appearance on ACC Network’s ACC PM Wednesday to discuss his team as the regular season heads into its stretch run.

With the calendar having turned to May and only three weekend series remaining in the regular season for most conferences, the 2024 college baseball regular season has entered into its stretch run.

For Clemson, that means trying to lock up a top national seed for the 2024 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. The Tigers are ranked No. 4 in every major poll this week and are a projected No. 3 national seed according to both On3 and Baseball America’s Field of 64 predictions. Coach Erik Bakich’s team is 15-6 in conference play, two full games ahead of Florida State.

Clemson will host Georgia Tech this weekend before traveling to Winston-Salem to face No. 15 Wake Forest. The Tigers will close the regular season at home against Boston College before the ACC Tournament gets underway on Tuesday, March 21 at Charlotte’s Truist Field.

Bakich joined ACC PM’s Mark Packer and Taylor Tannebaum on ACC Network Wednesday to discuss his team’s 34-9 overall record entering May.

Among the topics Bakich touched on are the Tigers having overcome injuries at key positions this season, the emergence of freshman sensation and star right-hander Aidan Knaak, and the overall strength of the ACC.

Clemson Athletic Communications shared a video of Bakich’s full appearance on ACC PM. Here’s everything the coach had to say in Wednesday’s interview.

No. 4 Clemson Tops Panthers 9-2 In Second Game of Doubleheader To Win Series

Aidan Knaak pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Jimmy Obertop tied a school record with three home runs in No. 4 Clemson’s 9-2 victory over Pittsburgh in the second game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Freshman righthander Aidan Knaak pitched 5.2 scoreless innings and Jimmy Obertop tied a school record with three home runs in No. 4 Clemson’s 9-2 victory over Pittsburgh in the second game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers, who won the series 2-1, improved to 32-7 overall and 13-5 in the ACC. The Panthers fell to 16-21 overall and 5-16 in ACC play.

Knaak (4-0) earned the win by pitching 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. He did not allow a baserunner to advance past second base. Pittsburgh starter Ryan Reed (0-5) suffered the loss, as he surrendered eight hits, five runs (three earned) and one walk with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings pitched.

Obertop belted a two-run homer in the first inning and Jacob Hinderleider grounded a two-out, run-scoring double in the third inning. Obertop hit another two-run homer, his second of the game, in the fifth inning. Two batters later, Hinderleider belted a solo homer, his eighth of the year. Jarren Purify’s sacrifice fly in the sixth inning added a run.

The Panthers dented the scoreboard for the first time in the top of the eighth inning, as two baserunners scored on wild pitches. Blake Wright responded with a solo homer, his 16th of the year, in the bottom of the eighth inning. Obertop followed with a solo homer, his third of the game and 14th of the season.

Obertop became the 18th Tiger in history and third this season (Will Taylor, Blake Wright) to hit three long balls in a game.

The Tigers travel to Athens, Ga. to take on Georgia on Tuesday at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

Series Preview and Where to Watch/Stream/Listen: No. 6 Clemson vs. Pitt

Clemson Tigers Baseball: A full series preview of Clemson vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers in this weekend’s key ACC series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

After a rough weekend in ACC play that saw Clemson drop its first conference series of the season, the Tigers are hoping to rebound when Pitt visits Doug Kingsmore Stadium for a weekend series beginning Friday.

Clemson (30-6 overall, 11-4 conference) fell four spots after a three-game losing streak last week and are ranked No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll. D1Baseball currently projects the Tigers as a No. 3 national seed in the Field of 64 for the 2024 NCAA Division 1 Baseball Tournament.

Securing a top eight national seed would ensure Doug Kingsmore Stadium of hosting a Super Regional, if the Tigers advance past the four-team, double-elimination Clemson Regional to begin the tournament.

First things first, the Tigers will face a struggling Pitt (15-19, 4-14) team that has yet to win a conference series this season. The Panthers dropped two of three to No. 8 Duke last weekend.

Clemson dropped two games to NC State before rallying for a 7-0 shutout victory behind eight innings of two-hit ball from freshman sensation Aidan Knaak. For the second week in a row, Knaak earned ACC Pitcher of the Week honors for his 10-strikeout performance against the Wolfpack.

As a team, Clemson is batting .281 with an OPS of .892. Tigers pitchers have a staff ERA of 3.93, good for second best in the ACC.

Friday’s series opener will mark the return of left-handed starter Tristan Smith, who missed the past month with an ankle injury. Smith hasn’t pitched since March 16 in the Tigers’ ACC opener at Duke. He is 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA in five starts. Smith has 36 strikeouts to 11 walks this season and has limited opponents to a .179 average.

Since Smith’s injury, Ethan Darden (5-1, 3.19 ERA) has been Clemson’s Saturday starter. Darden will make his fifth mid-series start after pitching a complete-game loss last weekend vs. NC State. Darden lowered his ERA to 3.19 after holding the Wolfpack to one earned run and seven hits in nine innings. He struck out five batters without allowing a walk.

Knaak (3-0, 2.87 ERA) is scheduled to make his 10th start this weekend. The right-hander has 67 strikeouts on the season to just 15 walks in 53 1/3 innings — the most innings thrown by anyone on the Tigers’ staff.

Pitt will counter with right-hander Ryan Andrade (0-3, 9.96) in Friday’s opener and Jack Sokol (3-2, 5.63) as part of a doubleheader Saturday. Ryan Reed (0-4, 7.34) is also scheduled to start Saturday.

Pitt is batting .287 as a team with an OPS of 8.60. Luke Cantwell has started all 34 games for the Panthers and leads the club in hitting with a .330 average. Pitt’s 6.20 ERA as a pitching staff ranks fourth to last in the ACC.

CIUFO OUT FOR SEASON

Clemson coach Erik Bakich confirmed earlier this week that shortstop Andrew Ciufo would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. The injury occurred on April 6 in the Tigers’ victory at Notre Dame. Bakich’s club has some depth at middle infield with a few options to step in for Ciufo.

One of those is senior Jacob Hinderleider, who has spent most of the season at first base. The Davidson transfer has started all six games at shortstop since the injury to Ciufo. Hinderleider is tied with second baseman Blake Wright for the team lead in batting average (.320). The Tigers also have options in infielders Cooper Blauser and Jack Crighton.

HONORING DOUG KINGSMORE

Prior to Saturday’s games, Clemson will celebrate the life of the late Doug Kingsmore, who passed away in December at the age of 90. Kingsmore was a co-captain on the university’s first ACC championship team in any sport when the Tigers won the 1954 ACC baseball title. The Tigers’ home ballpark was renamed to honor Kingsmore in 2003.

SERIES HISTORY

Clemson leads the all-time head to head series with Pitt, 7-4. The two teams first began play in 2014 after the Panthers joined the ACC.

Where to Watch/Stream/Listen

Here’s a look at when, where, and how Clemsons fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Start Times (ET)

Friday, 6 p.m.

Saturday (Game 1), 1 p.m.

Saturday (Game 2), approximately 45 minutes after conclusion of Game 1

Broadcast Info

Live Video Stream: ACC Network Extra, ESPN+

Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | TuneIn App

Broadcast Teams

Video: Pete Yanity, Ron Smith, Tim Bourret

Radio: Don Munson, Bob Mahony

WATCH: Erik Bakich and players discuss Clemson’s 7-0 shutout win over NC State

Clemson Baseball: Watch Tigers head coach Erik Bakich and freshmen Aidan Knaak and Jarren Purify talk about the team’s 7-0 victory over NC State on Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Clemson is coming off its worst week of the 2024 season.

The Tigers (29-6 overall) dropped three of their four contests this past week, including two of three to ACC rival NC State over the weekend. Even so, coach Erik Bakich’s team managed to salvage the final game of its series against the Wolfpack with a 7-0 shutout victory on Sunday.

Clemson was backed by eight scoreless innings of two-hit ball from freshman right-hander Aidan Knaak, who has slowly developed into the team’s most reliable starter. Knaak struck out 10 batters and threw 97 pitches against NC State to improve to 3-0 on the season.

Through nine starts, Knaak now has a 2.87 ERA with a strikeout to walk ratio that’s just over 4-to-1 (67 strikeouts to 15 walks in 53 1/3 innings). He was named ACC Pitcher of the Week by the conference on Monday, marking the second consecutive week Knaak has earned that honor.

Jarren Purify was also responsible for helping the Tigers end their three-game losing streak in Sunday’s win. The freshman from Detroit went 2-for-4 and had two run-scoring hits, including an RBI double as part of a five-run seventh inning that broke a scoreless tie and put Clemson ahead for good. Purify raised his average to .266 through 29 games.

Here’s Bakich, Knaak and Purify talking to reporters after Sunday’s victory.