In a gripping contest that had fans on the edge of their Doug Kingsmore Stadium seats, the Clemson baseball roared back to secure an 8-6 win over Kennesaw State, marking a monumental milestone in the program’s storied history—its 3,000th win.
Saturday’s showdown was a spectacle befitting a historic occasion, featuring powerhouse performances, particularly from two of Clemson’s bright stars, and a resilient team effort that could very well define their season.
The air was thick with anticipation as the Tigers, carrying a sense of urgency, stepped onto the hallowed field. It did not take long for the action to unfurl, igniting the atmosphere with the electricity of high-caliber collegiate baseball.
Right from the get-go, it was clear this was a day for big moments. Isaac Bouton set things in motion with a majestic solo homer that produced more than just a point; it sparked belief. But it was Jacob Hinderleider who would emerge a hero, blasting two sky-high homers that etched his name into Clemson folklore.
His first, a textbook display of raw power, tied the game early, showcasing a Clemson side bristling with tenacity. Then Cam Cannarella, a ballplayer with ice in his veins, lofted a towering two-run homer that tipped the scales and etched the streaking Tiger into the annals with a 15-game hitting spree.
Kennesaw State Owls, far from being pushovers, struck back in a tit-for-tat fourth inning that saw the scoreline ebbing and flowing, the Owls clawing back to a 3-3 standstill.
Enter Cannarella again, whose slick two-out single sent two runners home, turning the cheers up a notch. Yet, the Owls were relentless, pecking away at the scoreboard in the following innings until they soared ahead, exploiting a series of mishaps that threatened to sour Clemson’s hunt for win number 3,000.
Clemson’s dugout, a melting pot of focus and nerves, eyed the scoreboard that read 6-5 in favor of the visitors. Without missing a beat, Hinderleider, steely-eyed and focused, squared up for another shot at glory. His second home run—not just a repeat performance, but a clarion call—dealt the blow that reset the board to 6-6.
As the eighth inning unfurled, the crack of Jack Crighton’s bat was met with an eruption from the stands as his fourth hit paved way for those behind him. Then, Blake Wright—a name that will echo through Doug Kingsmore for years—stepped up to deliver a slice of clutch royalty. His run-scoring single marked him down as the evening’s standout closer, and with Alden Mathes contributing a sacrifice fly for insurance, the stage was set.
“To find a way to rally in the eighth and take a breath and play like we you know how to play is great,” said Bakich. “Hinderleider with his 2 home runs and the one that tied the game was amazing”
With Ethan Darden notching his first win and Rob Hughes donning the mantle of the savior with his inaugural save, the Tigers made sure their 1-1 series tie with Kennesaw State will be sealed in the annals as the day Clemson reaffirmed their place in collegiate baseball royalty.
Fans won’t soon forget this ballet of bats and gloves—a performance where every slide into base, every sprint across the diamond, every pitch, and every swing was steeped in determination and unfaltering resolve.
And as Sunday looms with the promise of more diamond action, one can only imagine the narrative that will play out. Will Clemson add yet another triumphant chapter to their saga? Only time—and Tigers’ claws and grit—will tell.
Catch the conclusive action at 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra, where history whispers and legends await their cue to step forth into a future written by the steely resolve and enduring spirit of the Clemson Tigers—a place where the game is more than a game; it’s a testament to tradition and a beacon of hope, episode after episode, in the grand story of baseball.
