Tristan Bissetta crushed two homers to mark a personal career milestone and led the Clemson baseball team to a scintillating 9-5 win over the UNC Greensboro Spartans at the electrifying Doug Kingsmore Stadium this Saturday. The No. 9 ranked Tigers displayed a masterclass in passion and power, dominating the series and improving an already impressive season record to 12-1, while the Spartans are left reassessing at 8-6.
The opening frames echoed the potential of a neck-and-neck skirmish with the Spartans initially biting back in both the first and the top of the third innings. However, the bottom of the third showcased Alden Mathes’ prowess with a two-run double that deadlocked the score at 2-2, but that was merely the calm before the storm.
In what can only be described as a raw display of talent, Bissetta, in his first start of the year, launched an opposite-field, two-run homer in the fourth inning that didn’t just clear the fence but possibly cleared any doubts of Clemson’s control in the game.
Not satisfied with a single spectacle, Bissetta sent another ball soaring over the fence for a solo home run in the sixth. The crowd roared as Jimmy Obertop smoothly grounded a two-out, two-run single, putting the Tigers well ahead in the fray.
While the Spartans managed to claw back an unearned run in the seventh inning followed by Caleb Cozart’s two-out double in the eighth, the day belonged to the Tigers. Clemson’s Blake Wright wasn’t shy to join the home run party, blasting one to secure his fourth of the year and punctuating a night of homer-heavy play.
Amidst the home run hoopla, we can’t help but doff our caps to Cam Cannarella and Jimmy Obertop, with three hits each, and Nolan Nawrocki’s two-hit performance that stretched his hitting streak to an impressive 11 games.
Hurler Tristan Smith (1-0) painted the mound with poise and precision, carving through five innings with six Ks and just one hit allowed, claiming his first career win with the gusto of a season pro. Meanwhile, Spartan starter Jay Miller (0-1) bore the brunt of this Tiger mauling, relinquishing three runs across six hits before exiting after 3.1 innings.
The electric atmosphere of Doug Kingsmore Stadium is a testament to a game well-played and a series that’s shaping up to be one for the books. With the finale on the horizon this Sunday, the Tigers have their eyes set on a sweep while the Spartans, no doubt, are gearing up to turn the tables.
Stay tuned as we bring you every slide, swing, and score right here, where the love of the game is not just a passion but a way of life. Remember fans, catch the finale on ACC Network Extra at 2 p.m., and join us as we witness the spectacle that is college baseball. Because here, every game is more than just stats, it’s a storied chapter in the annals of sportsmanship and heart.
