The comeback kids did it again at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday night. The No. 4 Clemson baseball team staged a comeback from a 4-0 deficit, securing a 6-4 win against the Pittsburgh Panthers. This comeback not only secured the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the series but also improved their overall record to 31-6 and 12-4 in ACC play, while the Panthers fell to 15-20 overall and a 4-15 record in the conference.
The night started unfavorably for the Tigers as the Panthers quickly capitalized on a two-out wild pitch in the first inning, followed by exploiting a crucial two-out error in the third inning that led to three unearned runs to make the score 4-0.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the fifth inning when Clemson’s resolve came to the forefront. Sparked by Jacob Jarrell’s sacrifice fly, the Tigers began chipping away at the Panthers’ lead. Following Jarrell’s effort, Cam Cannarella smacked a run-scoring double and Alden Mathes connected with a line-drive single to bring home another run, ultimately tying the game at 4-4.
The heroics of Jimmy Obertop, who led off the sixth inning with his second homer of the game and his 11th of the season, were pivotal in giving Clemson the lead. The Tigers further solidified their advantage later in the inning when Jarren Purify executed a flawless safety squeeze bunt, doubling the lead and setting the tone for the rest of the game.
“We are all just trying to work together as an offense,” said Jimmy Obertop. “When one guy gets a hit or a homerun it fires up the guys and lets them know they can get on base too.”
Jimmy Obertop
Clemson’s bullpen was nothing short of exceptional, playing a key role in the team’s comeback. Lucas Mahlstedt entered the game in a critical situation and performed magnificently, tossing 3.1 innings without surrendering a run and striking out three, earning him the win. Following Mahlstedt, Reed Garris threw two perfect innings, shutting down the Panthers’ offense and paving the way for closer Austin Gordon. Gordon maintained his composure in the ninth inning, securing his sixth save of the year and sealing the victory for Clemson.
The standout performances didn’t just shape the game but also highlighted the depth of talent within the Tigers’ roster. Jimmy Obertop emerged as a significant power threat, proving crucial in both building and then extending Clemson’s lead. Meanwhile, Jacob Jarrell’s consistency at the plate, including his crucial sacrifice fly, demonstrated his invaluable role in the Tigers’ batting lineup, but the true showcase of Clemson’s strength lies in its pitching staff. Lucas Mahlstedt’s dominant relief performance, alongside Reed Garris and Austin Gordon, highlights the exceptional quality of Clemson’s bullpen.
The series is set to conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. If Friday night’s game is any indicator of the action to come, baseball fans are in for a treat as the Tigers look to build on their momentum in the conclusion of the series.
