The No. 2 Clemson baseball team got back in the win column on Sunday afternoon, defeating the NC State Wolfpack in the final game of the series, winning 7-0 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
After an incredible day from freshman Aidan Knaak, and success from the bats in the seventh and eighth inning, Clemson baseball (29-6, 11-4 ACC) was able to stop the three-game losing streak and the sweep, which would have been their first of the season.
The Tigers got the offense started in the seventh, etching five runs on the board to gain a strong lead late in the game. The highlight of the inning came with runners on second and third base and Tryston McCladdie up to bat. The freshman would lay a bunt down while base runner Jacob Hinderleider ran in from third, scoring a run while the Wolfpack attempted to get the runner out at first.
What NC State (19-13, 9-8 ACC) did not know was that the other baserunner, Jarren Purify, was coming in from second base while the throw was being to first to throw out McCladdie, making a play at home to score two runs off of a sacrifice bunt. It would be McCladdie’s first two RBIs of his collegiate career.
Hinderleider, Purify and Cam Cannarella would bring in the other runners in their given at-bats in the seventh frame.
Purify would continue his standout game an inning later, bringing home another runner from a single into left field with the bases full. A wild pitch would score the other run in the eighth inning to put the game out of hand for the Wolfpack.
Knaak earned his third win of the season following eight shutout innings. While striking out 10 batters in the win, the freshman standout only allowed two NC State hits throughout his time on the mound.
Austin Gordon would close out the game, pitching the final inning and using a double play to close out the contest.
While the previous games in the series saw the Clemson baseball team struggle with runners in scoring position, Sunday afternoon seemed to fix those problems. The Tigers batted .625 when a player was in scoring position, contributing heavily to their successes in the win. They would also add 11 hits in the contest.
Despite NC State taking the overall series with their wins on Friday and Saturday, this win is huge for Clemson, who look to bounce back following a few slip ups over the course of the last two weeks.
Clemson will be back in action on Tuesday, when they will face Charlotte at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in a weekday game. The team will look to pick up momentum before another ACC series against Pittsburgh next weekend.
