The No. 6 Clemson Tigers defeated UNC Charlotte 8-5 on Tuesday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The game came after losing a weekend series against NC State, the first the Tigers had dropped all season.
The 49ers began the scoring in the second inning with back-to-back home runs. The runs were the first allowed by Clemson (30-6, 11-4 ACC) in 14 innings. However, the Tigers quickly responded.
With six hits in the second inning, Clemson scored four runs with RBIs from catcher Jacob Jarrell, left fielder Tristan Bissetta and center fielder Cam Cannarella. Two more runs — five of which came with two outs on the board — were scored off an error by the 49ers to make it a six-run inning.
Afterward, the Tigers’ bullpen came out in full force, allowing only one run after Lucas Mahlstedt relieved Billy Barlow in the third inning. Mahlstedt pitched three perfect innings alongside three strikeouts before allowing two hits and a run in the seventh.
Mahlstedt earned his second win of the season with his performance, and head coach Erik Bakich spoke highly of both him and the team as a whole in his remarks after the game.
“Putting three consecutive zeros up, and then adding on a couple of runs there late in the game and then Rocco Reid, Reed Garris [and] Austin Gordon doing their thing,” Bakich said. “Really just a great team win.”
“Everyone in the lineup had a hit, everyone contributed,” he added. “Got a lot of pitchers in there, played good defense, so just a very solid win and I’m proud of our team.”
The Tigers continue ACC play this weekend as they stay home at Doug Kingsmore Stadium to begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Panthers on Friday at 6 p.m.
