After scoring 33 runs in its season-opening sweep of Xavier last weekend, Clemson will look to continue its hot start when the Tigers begin a three-game set against Kennesaw State Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The Tigers (4-0 overall) are ranked No. 8 in the NCBWA (National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association) poll this week and No. 9 in the USA TODAY Baseball Coaches Poll.
Against Xavier, Clemson cranked six home runs and out-hit their opponent, 38-15.
The Tigers followed that up with a midweek victory over Presbyterian on Tuesday, using a five-run seventh inning to earn an 8-2 win. Freshman Jarren Purify made his first collegiate hit a memorable one when he went deep in the seventh for a grand slam that broke the game wide open.
Centerfielder Cam Cannarella has 10 hits in his first 18 at-bats atop the Clemson lineup to start the season while second baseman Blake Wright has six hits in 18 at-bats. Alden Mathes, Nolan Nawrocki, Andrew Ciufo and Jimmy Overtop all have five hits.
On the bump, Clemson plans to use the same three starters this weekend as it did against Xavier. Right-hander Billy Barlow is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener with southpaw Tristan Smith slated to go Saturday. Freshman right-hander Aidan Knaak is scheduled to start Sunday’s game.
Kennesaw State lists RHPs Braden Osbolt, Blake Aita, and Smith Pinson as its probable starters. The Owls (2-3) dropped two of three to UAB in their opening series in Birmingham before splitting a pair of midweek contests. They fell 9-3 to Mercer on Tuesday before earning a 4-2 victory over Wofford the following day.
Series History
The two teams have met four times previously, all Clemson victories. The Tigers won a pair of midweek contests against the Owls last season
How to Watch
Here’s a look at how and where Clemson fans can watch, stream, and listen to this weekend’s series against Kennesaw State.
Dates: Friday-Sunday, Feb. 23-25
Start Times (EST): Friday, 5 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, 2 p.m.
Where: Doug Kingsmore Stadium
Live Stream: ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), ESPN+
Radio: Clemson Athletic Network | ClemsonTigers.com
Broadcast Teams
ACC Network Extra: Don Munson, Bob Mahony (Friday, Sunday); Faxon Childress, Ron Smith (Saturday)