Sophomore righthander Austin Gordon was the star of the show on Saturday afternoon as he pitched 6.1 strong innings to lead Clemson to a 5-1 victory over Notre Dame at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The win was crucial for the Tigers as it evened the series 1-1 and improved their overall record to 21-16, and 5-9 in the ACC. On a day when Clemson retired former Head Coach Jack Leggett’s #7, Gordon showed his mettle by setting a career-high for innings pitched while allowing only four hits, one unearned run, and no walks with four strikeouts. His performance was simply outstanding and one of the best by a Clemson pitcher this season.
The Fighting Irish, who fell to 18-14 overall and 8-9 in ACC play, had no answer to Gordon’s pitching as he dominated them throughout the game. Notre Dame starter Jack Findlay (4-2) suffered the loss, as he surrendered five runs on five hits in just two innings pitched. The Tigers took the lead early in the game with Will Taylor’s groundout in the first inning, which scored the game’s first run. Notre Dame responded in the top of the second inning with an unearned run on an error, but the Tigers quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the second.
Billy Amick, who has been in impressive form this season, led off the bottom of the second inning with a line-drive homer, his fourth of the year. Later in the frame with two outs, Cam Cannarella, and Cooper Ingle hit run-scoring doubles to give the Tigers a commanding 4-1 lead. Clemson extended its lead in the third inning on Riley Bertram’s run-scoring single, which put the game out of reach for Notre Dame.
Gordon’s performance was not only impressive for the win, but it also tied for the longest outing by a Tiger in 2023. He showed great control and command on the mound, keeping the Notre Dame hitters guessing with a mix of fastballs, changeups, and curveballs. The four strikeouts he recorded were a testament to his ability to throw strikes and his poise under pressure.
Clemson also retired former Head Coach Jack Leggett’s #7 jersey. The Tigers achieved 955 wins under the leadership of coach Jack Legget during his tenure. Leggett, who coached the Tigers from 1994-2015, had a remarkable record at Clemson, winning six ACC Championships, five ACC Atlantic Division Titles, and making 12 NCAA Regional appearances. He also led the Tigers to three College World Series appearances, cementing his place as one of the greatest coaches in Clemson’s history.
The series concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. After an impressive win, Clemson aims to continue their success and secure the series victory against Notre Dame. The Tigers have struggled in the ACC this season, but with the kind of performance they displayed on Saturday, they will be confident of turning their fortunes around. Coach Monte Lee will be hoping that Gordon can carry his form into the next game and lead the Tigers to victory.
Overall, it was a memorable day for Clemson fans as they witnessed a great performance by their team and the retirement of a legendary coach’s jersey. Gordon’s outstanding pitching and the Tigers’ batting display showed that they have the potential to compete at the highest level, and they will be looking to build on this win as they push for a strong finish to the season. Clemson fans will be eagerly waiting for Sunday’s game, hoping that their team can deliver another impressive performance and take the series against Notre Dame.
