Freshman Aiden Knaak assumed the pitching duties for Clemson baseball in today’s 1 pm start. Knaak entered the game with a season ERA of 4.05 and held a 1-0 record from four previous starts.
The game kicked off with a hit by pitch, resulting in a two-run homer for Blake Wright, swiftly giving Clemson baseball a 2-0 lead in the first inning. However, Duke retaliated, scoring one run in the bottom half of the inning. The score remained tied until the fourth inning when a leadoff double, followed by a passed ball and a wild pitch, allowed Logan Bravo to score, tying the game at 2-2. In the sixth inning, Purify regained the lead for the Tigers with a sacrifice fly, bringing the score to 3-2 after Jimmy Obertop crossed the plate.
Knaak was substituted after allowing a double by Duke with one out in the seventh inning. His six and one-third innings of work marked the longest of his career. Nick Clayton entered the game, striking out two consecutive batters to leave the tying run stranded at second base and maintain Clemson’s lead.
In the eighth inning, A.J. Garcia’s sixth home run of the season narrowed Duke’s deficit to one run, making it 5-4. Subsequently, a sacrifice fly by Wallace Clark tied the game at 5-5. Duke had an opportunity to secure the win in the ninth inning, but right fielder Alden Mathis thwarted their efforts by throwing out the runner at home plate for the final out.
Clemson’s offense surged in the tenth inning, with two home runs: one by Obertop, extending the lead to 6-5, and another by Hinderleider, widening the gap to 8-5.
Marchal took the mound for the top of the tenth inning. Although Duke showed signs of offensive momentum, Aiden Mathis’s diving catch in right field for the second out extinguished any chance of a Duke rally. Clemson recorded the final out, securing the series victory.
The Tigers return home to host Winthrop on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
