The Clemson baseball team defeated the Hartford Hawks 6-1 in the first game of a three game series on Friday.

Clemson got the scoring started with a three-run third inning. Second baseman Tyler Corbitt slashed an run batted in (RBI) double into left field to make it 1-0, followed up by a two-run homer from first baseman Caden Grice to make it 3-0. Grice has now hit a home run in the last three games.

Clemson would tack on three more runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, including a solo home run from Bryar Hawkins in the fourth inning, his first of the season. 

Hartford scored its lone run of the game in the eighth inning on an RBI single from third baseman Daniel Burnett.

Despite Clemson’s six runs, the Tigers left many opportunities to add more.

In the fourth inning, Clemson had runners on second and third with nobody out, yet failed to bring in either run.

“We got to be aggressive in those situations,” said head coach Monte Lee. “It was disappointing in that inning.” 

“[I] was a little disappointed in how we hit situationally today,” Lee continued. “We should have scored more runs than six runs.”  

Despite the missed opportunities from Clemson, the Tigers’ pitching staff was able to keep the Hartford bats at rest.

Clemson starting pitcher Mack Anglin turned in another dominant outing to start his year. Anglin pitched five innings and allowed one hit with three walks and six strikeouts. 

Anglin’s performance was followed up by yet another quality showing from the Clemson bullpen.  

In a combined four innings pitched, Cassey Tallent, Jay Dill and Ricky Williams allowed four hits, one run, two walks and seven strikeouts.  

Dill finished with the best performance out of the bullpen on Friday, pitching one inning and allowing no runs, hits or walks, and racking up two strikeouts.  

“I thought Jay Dill was outstanding again,” Lee said.  

Clemson will face off against Hartford on Saturday in a double header starting at 1 p.m. to wrap up the series at home.