When Clemson baseball took on the Savannah Bananas Thursday night, it was history making for Banana Ball. For the Tigers, it was memory making.
Clemson became the first-ever collegiate team to play Banana Ball, and the Tigers took pride in doing so.
“It just means we’re one of one,” infielder Jarren Purify said. “These young kids that are out here, they’re calling our names, they think we’re superstars.”
Infielder Andrew Ciufo shared that sentiment in his postgame remarks as well and added what he feels this does for Clemson baseball in recruiting.
“It’s really cool, and obviously, that’s all because of coach Bakich and the vision he has for our program,” Ciufo said. “I’m sure there are recruits that are being recruited by Clemson that are either super bought into this, and this makes them want to come here even more.”
While they were unable to beat the Bananas at their own game, the Tigers enjoyed every minute of the event.
“That was probably the most fun I have had in a long time,” Purify said. “I mean, it was awesome. I’ve never experienced something that much fun.”
“The whole atmosphere, all the energy here, preparing with the guys on the team, just having so much fun,” Ciufo said. “We’re all brothers, but I feel like this experience all together kind of just made us level up a bit in terms of our comfortability with each other.”
Toward the end of the game, Purify was able to pull off a trick play as he made a between-the-legs throw to first base. He had attempted it earlier in the game and was thrilled he was able to complete it at the end.
“The first trick play, I had a little nerves,” the infielder said. “I wanted to do it, and ultimately, I made an error. But what I just made, I just did it … no thought process.”
As the team looks toward the start of preseason baseball, which begins this weekend, the players say this experience has them ready to compete and begin the road to Omaha, Nebraska.
“Just having fun, like being able to flip a switch, to being super competitive in the regular season where things are at a higher stake,” Purify said. “All of our intentions go right back into what we’re working for, and that’s ultimately Omaha.”
Echoing that attitude, Ciufo added he was looking forward to the season, as he just recently was cleared to play after an ACL tear cut his last season short.
“Just got officially fully cleared today,” he said. “We’re past that, and now it’s smooth sailing.”
With the team’s Banana Ball debut in the past, the Tigers hope that this experience will help them get back to the College World Series for the first time since 2010.
