During the week, No. 6 Clemson went 1-1, dropping a contest with Coastal Carolina, 8-2, and winning a matchup with Presbyterian College, 9-1.
March 25 versus Coastal Carolina
The Chanticleers were ready for revenge on Tuesday, as they were eliminated from the Clemson Regional last season at the hands of the Tigers. Clemson defeated them twice in the regional, 4-3 and 12-5. However, the Chanticleers got the best of them this time around.
After two innings of scoreless baseball, Coastal Carolina got going, roping a pair of 3-run homers in the top of the third. The Chanticleers never looked back, adding on one more run in the fifth and eighth innings, respectively.
Clemson’s pitching struggled throughout the contest, walking five and hitting seven batters, which led to 12 free passes.
The Tigers’ bats were also very cold, as they were only able to muster five hits and two runs. Shortstop Andrew Ciufo provided a spark in the fifth via a solo homerun but was unable to start a comeback. The only other Tiger run came across in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Luke Gaffney.
March 26 versus Presbyterian
On Wednesday, the game against Presbyterian was highlighted by left-hander Talan Bell making his collegiate debut. The starter got off to a quick start, striking out the first batter he saw in three pitches. Bell threw over an inning, striking out two and walking three while allowing no hits.
The Florida native also allowed one earned run in the outing.
“We saw a glimpse with the very first hitter, three-pitches, strikeout, backwards ‘K’ on a curveball,” Clemson head coach Erik Bakich said. “He got fired up there and yelled to his infielders. I thought that was awesome.”
“The sky’s the limit for a kid like that. He could be a weekend starter at some point.”
In a game of firsts, Clemson catcher Ty Marshall was able to tally his first career hit, roping a single up the middle after being pinch-hit into the game in the eighth.
The Tigers’ offense was persistent throughout the matchup, scoring at least one run in four of the eight innings played during the game.
After entering the fourth with a 3-1 lead, Clemson erupted for four more, extending its lead and ultimately putting the game out of reach for the Blue Hose. The first two runs of the inning came from a Cam Cannarella base hit to right, driving in his 20th and 21st runs of the season. It was immediately followed by a two-run home run by Gaffney to left-center field.
The Clemson bullpen pitched rather well, highlighted by Chance Fitzgerald’s five innings of work. The righty logged a career-high in innings pitched and strikeouts, sitting down six Presbyterian batters. The sophomore allowed just two hits while only walking one.
Fitzgerald credits catcher and first baseman Gaffney, who was catching for the sophomore on Wednesday, with the pitching performance.
“I think just having Luke Gaffney back there, just being a wall, picking up our guys,” Fitzgerald said after the game. “Coach Belanger called a great game. When you go out with that combination mixed with seven of the best defenders in the country behind me, things kind of click. It’s easy to work with the guys behind me.”
The Presbyterian pitching staff gifted the Tigers a good offense start, walking four Clemson batters in the first inning. The Tigers were able to muster two runs during the inning.
Clemson will go on the road this weekend when they open a three-game ACC series against No. 25 Georgia Tech.
