In what can only be described as a stellar Sunday showcase, the No. 8 Clemson Tigers clenched a decisive 7-2 triumph over Kennesaw State at the vibrant Doug Kingsmore Stadium. As the dust settled on this 2-1 series victory, it was the Tigers who skyrocketed to a 6-1 season start, leaving the Owls to retreat with a 3-5 record.
On the day when young talent took center stage, freshman virtuoso Aidan Knaak serenaded the crowd with his pitching prowess. Knaak, in 6.0 innings of wizardry, put on a clinic in precision and poise, yielding a scant three hits and one walk whilst striking out five bewildered batters.
Knaak’s standout performance (1-0), which chalked up his first career win, was a masterclass in control—the Owls found themselves grounded, with not a single player advancing past second base. He commanded the hill with an ease that belied his freshman status.
Relief came in the form of Matthew Marchal’s steady 2.1-innings pitched and Drew Titsworth, who closed the book on any Owl resurgence in the final 0.2 innings. On the flip side, Kennesaw State’s Smith Pinson (0-2) faced the music, taking the loss after surrendering three runs on five hits in a challenging 2.1 innings.
From the get-go, Clemson’s offense was in full swing. The Tiger bats roared to life when Cam Cannarella extended his hitting streak to an impressive 16 games, a thread woven since 2023. Jimmy Obertop followed suit, injecting a two-out single to plate the opener. The climax of Clemson’s crafty hitting came when Nolan Nawrocki smacked an infield single, carving out a double advantage for the hosts.
The third inning witnessed Nawrocki’s patience at the plate pay dividends—he walked with bases juiced. Andrew Ciufo, not to be overshadowed, followed in the fourth with a single that chipped another run onto Clemson’s steadily growing lead.
Ciufo, doubling down on his clutch hitting, struck again in the sixth with a two-run single. Nawrocki piggybacked with a sacrifice fly, a high note in a symphony of smart play and teamwork.
Blake Wright did great, going 3-for-4 and scoring four times for the Tigers!
The atmosphere at Doug Kingsmore Stadium was electric, with fans on the edge of their seats as they watched the Clemson Tigers dominate the field.
The Tigers wrap up their eight-game homestand with a game against USC Upstate on Tuesday at 4 p.m. Catch it on ACC Network Extra!
