In the heat of a midweek clash, the Clemson Tigers flexed its offensive muscles and demonstrated resilience on the mound, notching an 8-5 victory over the Charlotte 49ers(16-21, 5-7 AAC) at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Tuesday. The No. 4 ranked Tigers(30-6, 10-4 ACC) roared back from an early deficit, unleashing a six-run onslaught in the second inning that put them squarely in the driver’s seat.
The game began with Charlotte swinging for the fences, determined to challenge a Clemson team known for its pitching prowess. Noah Furcht and Carson Bayne sparked the visitor’s dugout with back-to-back homers in the top of the second, momentarily silencing the Tiger faithful by snapping Clemson’s streak of 14 consecutive scoreless innings.
However, the Tigers were quick to respond as they clawed their way back in the bottom half. Tristan Bissetta delivered a critical run-scoring single before Jacob Jarrell doubled, driving in two runs with a razor-sharp hit that put Clemson ahead. Cam Cannarella extended the lead with a double, scoring on a subsequent defensive mishap, and Blake Wright drove in another run with a single, rounding out a vicious six-run frame that showcased Clemson’s batting depth and ferocity.
Despite the early fireworks, the remainder of the contest became a battle of attrition. Thad Ector and Juan Correa cut into Clemson’s lead with RBIs in the third. The 49ers showed no signs of surrender, chipping away with a squeeze bunt from Dante DeFranco in the seventh that halved Clemson’s advantage. Alden Mathes smashed his seventh homer of the season in the same inning, signaling a potential shift in momentum.
Clemson called upon reliever Lucas Mahlstedt to hold the 49ers at bay. Mahlstedt rose to the occasion, tossing four effective innings and allowing just a single run. His poise on the mound earned him the win (2-0) and exemplified the Tigers’ ability to diffuse pressure-packed situations. Closer Austin Gordon stepped in to secure his fifth save of the year, ensuring Clemson remained unscathed.
“It’s great to go out and pitch like that,” said Mahlstedt. To be able to put up 3 consecutive zeros is huge. It builds a lot of confidence for me and the bullpen.”
What stood out in Clemson’s performance was the distributed nature of the offense. Each starter etched a hit, underlining a team effort that resonates with the philosophy of first-year head coach Erik Bakich. Bakich praised his team’s composure, especially highlighting their excellent two-out, two-strike hitting that carved a path to victory.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, Clemson aims to carry the momentum from this win into their next series against Pittsburgh. Tonight’s team performance exemplified the multifaceted approach Bakich has instilled in his Tigers—a fusion of plucky hitting and steadfast pitching that can overcome temporary setbacks.
We had five runs with two outs. We had great two-out-two-strike hitting. Lucas came in and settled into the middle innings, posting three consecutive scoreless frames. Really just a great team win. Everyone in the lineup got a hit.
Head Coach Erik Bakich
The stage is set for an enthralling part of the season. With the stakes high and the ACC matchups intensifying, Clemson displayed a winning mentality and a cohesiveness that could serve as a prelude to postseason success. If today’s game was a barometer for how the team handles pressure, the Tigers have sent a resounding message to their rivals—when the going gets tough, the Tigers get going.
The Tigers conclude their homestand with a burst of confidence, looking to extend their roaring success as they host Pittsburgh starting Friday at 6 p.m. three-game set, live on ACC Network Extra.
