Tag: Clemson Baseball News

USC Upstate halts Clemson’s winning streak

Clemson Baseball: Tigers fall to USC Upstate.

Koby Kropt hit a go-ahead grand slam off Rob Hughes in the eighth inning Tuesday, and USC Upstate stunned No. 2 Clemson, 9-5, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The Tigers fell to 28-4 overall.

The Spartans (22-12) loaded the bases off Hughes with no one out to begin the eighth inning before Kropt’s home run, his ninth of the season.

Clemson fell behind 5-2 in the sixth inning after Tyler Lang hit a three-run homer off Tigers starter Billy Barlow. For a moment, it looked like the Tigers would do what they’ve done most all season: rally.

Cam Cannarella and Jimmy Obertop hit back to back home runs to tie the game at 5-all in the seventh before Kropt’s eighth-inning blast over Cannarella’s head in straight-away center field landed the decisive blow.

Hughes (1-2) suffered the loss in his 11th appearance in relief. Jake Cubbler (2-1) earned the win in relief with four innings of work. After surrendering the home runs to Cannarella and Obertop, Cubbler retired the final six batters he faced to close out the game.

Barlow received a no-decision in his seventh start. The right-hander surrendered four runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked one.

Clemson’s offense was held to just six hits. Only Cannarella (2-for-5) had two hits against Spartans pitching. His two-run homer in the seventh was his sixth of the season. Obertop’s solo shot was eighth.

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Clemson will host NC State for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Wolfpack (18-12, 8-7) were swept by Louisville last weekend.

Where does Clemson baseball project in early Field of 64?

Things are rolling right along for coach Erik Bakich in his second season as Clemson head coach. For the second straight week, Bakich has the Tigers ranked No. 2 in the nation by every major poll, including the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches …

Things are rolling right along for coach Erik Bakich in his second season as Clemson head coach.

For the second straight week, Bakich has the Tigers ranked No. 2 in the nation by every major poll, including the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll.

With more than half of the regular season complete, Clemson enters the week of April 8 at 28-3 overall following a three-game sweep of Notre Dame in conference play. Only No. 1 Arkansas (27-3 overall) is ranked ahead of the Tigers in the polls.

Including this weekend’s scheduled three-game series against NC State at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, there are still six more weeks left in the regular season before the annual ACC Baseball Tournament, scheduled for May 21-26 at Charlotte’s Truist Field.

With a nod toward the future, On3 sports has taken a look around the college baseball landscape for an early projection of the field of 64 teams for the 2024 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Given what they’ve accomplished thus far, Clemson being projected to host a Regional is a no-brainer.

Per On3:

“Clemson looks like the class of the ACC right now, though it won’t be easy down the stretch. The Tigers are currently 28-3, 10-2 in the ACC, and have the No. 1 RPI in the nation. Joining Clemson in their regional is Northeastern, Georgia Southern and Saint Thomas.”

Things can always change, but with how dominant the Tigers have been and their current position in the polls, Clemson would be in line to host a Super Regional, if it were to advance that far.

The Tigers haven’t advanced past the Regional round of the postseason since 2010 when they defeated Alabama to reach the College World Series under former coach Jack Leggett.

As a team, Clemson is batting .292 this season while averaging 8.3 runs per game. They have an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .916. On the mound, the Tigers have a collective 3.91 staff ERA, good for third best in the ACC. Opponents are batting .231 against Clemson pitching.

The team’s 28-3 start is its best since 2002, the same year the Tigers finished one win shy of reaching the College World Series championship game.

Clemson hosts USC Upstate at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

Schedule changes for Clemson vs. NC State; contest with South Carolina won’t be made up

CLEMSON, S.C. – The NC State vs. Clemson game on Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium is now scheduled to start at 6 p.m. South Carolina and Clemson also announced that the March 1 contest at Founders Park in Columbia that was postponed due to rain will not be made up. A mutual date was unattainable based on remaining competition and academic schedules.

CLEMSON, S.C. – The NC State vs. Clemson game on Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium is now scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

South Carolina and Clemson also announced that the March 1 contest at Founders Park in Columbia that was postponed due to rain will not be made up. A mutual date was unattainable based on remaining competition and academic schedules.

The 2024 regular-season series ends with Clemson winning both games, a 5-4 victory at Segra Park in Columbia and a 5-4 win at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Fans who purchased tickets to the game at Founders Park can email gctix@mailbox.sc.edu for more information.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson freshman named ACC Co-Pitcher of the Week

Clemson Baseball: Clemson Tigers freshman right-hander Aidan Knaak was named Co-Pitcher of the Week by the ACC on Monday.

CLEMSON, S.C. – Freshman righthander Aidan Knaak (Fort Myers, Fla.) was named ACC Co-Pitcher-of-the-Week, announced Monday by the league office. He joined Louisville’s Sebastian Gongora, who was named ACC Co-Pitcher-of-the-Week, and Wake Forest’s Nick Kurtz, who was named ACC Player-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.Knaak became the first Tiger freshman to earn ACC Pitcher-of-the-Week honors since 2016 (Alex Eubanks) and the first Tiger first-year freshman since 2013 (Matthew Crownover).

Knaak took a no-hitter into the seventh inning at Notre Dame on Sunday. He retired the side in order in five of his first six innings and did not allow a hit until he gave up an infield single in the seventh inning.

In 7.0 innings pitched, he allowed just three hits, one earned run and no walks with nine strikeouts in Clemson’s victory. He tied his career high for innings pitched, throwing just 81 pitches (64 strikes).

On the season, he is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA, .218 opponents’ batting average and 57 strikeouts against 14 walks in 45.1 innings pitched over eight starts.

–via Clemson Athletic Communications

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