The No. 4 Clemson baseball team secured their 22nd come-from-behind victory of the season, defeating the Boston College Eagles 12-10 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Thursday night. This crucial win not only bolstered Clemson’s impressive record to 38-13 overall and 18-10 in the ACC but also showcased the heart and grit that the Tigers have played with all season.
With a rocky start for the Tigers, as the Eagles capitalized on two early errors to score five runs in the first inning. Boston College’s Parker Landwehr punctuated the inning with a three-run homer, setting a daunting tone for Clemson. Despite the early setback, the Tigers were not deterred.
In the second inning, Clemson managed to plate a run, but Boston College responded with a leadoff homer by Cameron Leary in the third inning, extending their lead to 6-1. However, the Tigers clawed back with Jimmy Obertop’s powerful three-run homer, his 17th of the year, narrowing the gap and reigniting hope among the Clemson faithful.
The fourth inning saw more fireworks as John Collins launched a homer for the Eagles, who then added another run to make it 8-4. Clemson, refusing to fold, answered back in the bottom of the fourth with Jacob Jarrell’s run-scoring single, followed by Jacob Hinderleider’s clutch two-out, run-scoring single. The Tigers continued to chip away at the deficit, tying the score at 8-8 in the fifth inning, courtesy of three two-out errors by the Eagles.
Cam Cannarella’s Clutch Homerun
The game remained a nail-biter as Alden Mathes gave Clemson its first lead with a leadoff homer in the sixth inning. Yet, Boston College’s Barry Walsh evened the score again in the seventh with a two-out double. The back-and-forth drama reached its peak in the eighth inning when Leary hit his second homer of the game, putting the Eagles ahead 10-9.
With momentum seemingly slipping away, Clemson’s Cam Cannarella stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning. Facing a full count and on the ninth pitch of his at-bat, Cannarella smashed a three-run homer over the left-field fence. This electrifying play gave the Tigers a decisive 12-10 lead, marking Cannarella’s ninth long ball of the season and cementing his status as the game’s hero.
Cannarella and Obertop Shine
Cam Cannarella’s clutch performance was undoubtedly the highlight of the night. His three-run homer in the eighth inning not only sealed the victory but also demonstrated his poise under pressure and ability to deliver when it mattered most.
Jimmy Obertop also played a pivotal role, igniting the Tigers’ comeback with his three-run homer in the third inning. His consistent power-hitting has been a cornerstone of Clemson’s offensive strategy throughout the season.
Garris and Gordon Close the Deal
Reed Garris (1-1) earned the win in relief, showcasing his composure and skill in a high-stakes situation. Austin Gordon then took the mound in the ninth inning, securing his ninth save of the year with a flawless performance that thwarted any hopes of a Boston College comeback.
Looking Ahead
The series between Clemson and Boston College continues on Friday at 1 p.m., with coverage available on ACC Network Extra. The Tigers will look to build on their momentum from this dramatic win, while the Eagles aim to bounce back and even the series.
The next game in the series is scheduled to take place on Friday at 1 p.m., and fans can catch all the action live on ACC Network Extra.
