Clemson baseball has been back and brewing this 2025 season, blending dominant pitching, clutch hitting and elite defense to become one of the most dangerous teams in college baseball.
The Tigers sit at No. 2 in the nation and the ACC. The team has a resume that includes an early-season win over No. 16 Arizona and recent series victories against No. 24 Georgia Tech and No. 19 Louisville.
Offensively, Clemson thrives on disciplined at-bats, ranking No. 3 nationally in walks with 269 through 42 games, led by Dominic Listi’s 46 (good for third in the country) and Cam Cannarella’s 39 (top 20).
The Tigers are also opportunistic at the plate, ranking second in the country with 31 sacrifice flies, just two ranks behind conference foe Georgia Tech.
Key returners, including Cannarella, Jarren Purify and Jacob Jarrell, have taken huge steps and been game-changers for this top-five team, boosting power-hitting and base running.
In Purify’s sophomore campaign, he currently leads the team in batting average at .319 and has accounted for 43 runs, 27 RBIs and 21 bases stolen, consistently showing off his striking speed.
Meanwhile, Jarrell has been on a tear lately, hitting multiple homers in conference series against Georgia Tech and Stanford. He leads the team in home runs with 10 and a slugging percentage of .519.
Defensively, the Tigers have been pitching a clinic all season, with Lucas Mahlstedt developing into one of the best closers in college baseball.
He leads the nation in saves with 14 on a high volume of 32.1 innings pitched and boasts a 1.11 ERA with 46 strikeouts, proving just how significant his presence on the mound has been.
Additionally, 2024 National Freshman Pitcher of the Year Aidan Knaak has been one of the best in the country, tallying 74 strikeouts and an undefeated record on the season at 6-0 across 56 innings pitched.
While the returners have been excellent, head coach Erik Bakich has a knack for finding transfer talent, landing three standouts in Listi, Josh Paino and Collin Priest.
Michigan transfer and designated hitter Priest has been a spark in the lineup, whacking eight homers and nine doubles. He’s also shown great plate discipline, drawing 30 walks, third behind Cannarella and Listi.
Listi — an Indiana State transfer — has been consistent and efficient all season, hitting a .291 batting average with a team-high .518 OBP.
Graduate transfer Paino has significantly impacted defense at third base, delivering multiple highlight-reel plays while adding eight home runs and 44 hits, tying him for a team high.
With a tough stretch looming — including a road-heavy schedule and several matchups against top-tier opponents — the Tigers will be tested. But with their balanced roster, elite pitching and ability to grind out wins, Clemson looks more than ready to embrace the challenge and make a serious run at Omaha.
