It’s finally here, Clemson Baseball has been deemed the #6 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host the Clemson Regional this weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Many think that Clemson was given a tough draw. My feeling is that most regionals are tough this time of year. It is either a really good team that got hot late, or a conference champion that are in each regional. Gone are the cupcake games this time of year.
Coach Erik Bakich has implored the fans to get out early and be loud. There is nothing better than a raucous crowd at DKS. Here’s to hoping the fans help wake the echoes of the Omaha and Super Regional teams of the past to do something special this weekend. It’s not going to be easy, as the opponents are extremely talented.
Clemson Briefly:
Clemson enters the regional with a record of 41-14 (20-10 ACC) good enough for the 6th overall seed and a home regional and (not to get ahead of myself) would be the hosts should they get through to the Super Regionals a week from now.
Clemson Regular Season Leaders:
Batting
Batting Average: Cam Canarella .342; Blake Wright .341
Hits: Wright (79); Canarella (77)
Home Runs: Wright (21); Jimmy Obertop (19)
Runs Batted In: Wright (70); Jacob Hinderleider (59)
On Base %: Alden Mathes (.447); Obertop (.443) (*Will Taylor – .465)
OPS: Obertop (1.098); Wright (1.048)
Stolen Bases: Jarren Purify (11); Nolan Nawrocki (10); Hinderleider (9)
Pitching
Wins: Billy Barlow (6); 3 Tied with 5: Ethan Darden, Aidan Knaak, Matthew Marchal
Innings Pitched: Knaak (73); Darden (60); Lucas Mahlstedt (51)
Strikeouts: Knaak (97); Tristan Smith (53)
Here is your preview of ALL 3 potential Clemson Baseball opponents in the Clemson Regional:
2nd Seed – Vanderbilt Commodores
Head Coach – Tim Corbin (22nd Year)
Record – 38-21 (13-17 SEC)
Wins against: Florida Atlantic x2, Eastern Kentucky, Gonzaga x2, Indiana State, Evansville, Louisiana, Houston, Texas, Eastern Michigan, Illinois State x3, Indiana, Auburn x3, Belmont, Valparaiso, Missouri x3, LSU x2, Middle Tennessee State, Lipscomb, Florida x3, UT-Martin, Mississippi State x2, Tennessee Tech, Louisville, Tennessee x2, Kentucky
Losses against: Florida Atlantic, Dayton, Gonzaga, South Carolina x3, LSU, Texas A&M x3, Florida, Mississippi State x2, Georgia x3, Tennessee x3, Kentucky x2
Vanderbilt will play #3 Seed Coastal Carolina at 11am on Friday 5/31
Here is the best-guess, projected starters for the Vanderbilt Commodores positionally based on their latest games, with their season stats as well:
Position Players:
| Name (#) | Year | Position | 2024 Cumulative Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Vastine (13) | Junior | Shortstop | .297; 18 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 42 RBI; 12-15 SB |
| Davis Diaz (11) | Junior | 3rd Base | .257; 10 2B, 7 HR, 38 RBI; 4-6 SB |
| RJ Austin (42) | Sophomore | 2nd Base | .322; 14 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 51 RBI; 27-32 SB |
| Alan Espinal (45) | Senior | Catcher | .285; 14 2B, 12 HR, 47 RBI; 3-3 SB |
| Colin Barczi (44) | Freshman | DH | .191; 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI |
| Matthew Polk (1) | Junior | Right Field | .318; 16 2B, 3B, 5 RB, 21 RBI; 8-9 SB |
| Braden Holcomb (26) | Freshman | 1st Base | .263; 6 2B, 5 HR, 17 RBI |
| Jack Bulger (16) | Senior | Left Field | .296; 2B, 3 HR, 15 RBI; 2-2 SB |
| Calvin Hewitt (21) | Senior | Centerfield | .307; 6 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 22 RBI; 25-27 SB |
Offensively, the Commodores are hitting .286 as a team (107th nationally), with 124 doubles (T-30), 11 triples (T-113), 70 home runs (T-110) and have knocked in 377 runs. This Vanderbilt team does run a whole lot and will also play a ton of small ball to stress the opposing defense, 97-112 good enough for a tie for 33rd in the nation in that department.
Senior Catcher Alan Espinal leads the team with 12 home runs, followed closely by leadoff hitter Jonathan Vastine with 10. Sophomore RJ Austin leads the team with 27 stolen bases on the season, only leading Calvin Hewitt by 2, he has 25.
PROBABLE WEEKEND STARTING PITCHING:
| Name (#) | Year/Hand | 2024 Cumulative Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Bryce Cunningham (97) | Junior/RHP | 7-4; 4.20 ERA; 79.1 IP, 94 K, 31 BB; OppBA: .216 |
| Carter Holton (20) | Junior/LHP | 6-4; 5.29 ERA; 68 IP, 96 K, 25 BB; OppBA: .238 |
| JD Thompson (22) | Sophomore/LHP | 5-1; 2.98 ERA; 48.1 IP, 69 K, 16 BB; OppBA: .230 |
As a pitching staff, Vanderbilt has a 4.99 ERA, 50th in the country through the regular season and conference tournament, while opponents are hitting .241 against the Vandy Boys. They’ve surrendered 93 2Bs, 4 3B, and 74 HRs as a staff.
#3 Seed – Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Head Coach – Gary Gimore (29th Season)
Record – 34-23 (16-14 Sun Belt)
Wins against: George Mason, UNC-Wilmington, Illinois, Ball State, Cincinnati, Campbell, Liberty x3, USC-Upstate x3, Appalachian State x3, Michigan x3, Wake Forest, James Madison x2, Louisiana-Monroe x2, Old Dominion x2, Georgia Southern x2, North Carolina, Louisiana x2, UNC-Greensboro, Georgia State x3, Marshall x3,
Losses against: Indiana, Duke, James Madison, NC State, Appalachian State x3, Louisiana-Monroe, UNC-Wilmington, Old Dominion, Wake Forest, Georgia Southern, Louisiana, Creighton x2, Troy x3, Southern Miss x4, Georgia State
Coastal Carolina will face 2nd Seed Vanderbilt Commodores at 11am on Friday 5/31
Here is the best-guess, projected starters for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers positionally based on their latest games, with their season stats as well:
Position Players:
| Name (#) | Year | Position | 2024 Cumulative Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Antonacci (10) | Junior | 3rd Base | .278; 13 2B, 4 HR, 43 RBI; 14-21 SB |
| Graham Brown (22) | Senior | Right Field | .364; 16 2B, 12 HR, 60 RBI; 9-12 SB |
| Caden Bodine (17) | Sophomore | Catcher | .320; 18 2B, 7 HR, 65 RBI; 3-3 SB |
| Derek Bender (53) | Junior | DH | .322; 9 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR 55 RBI; 10-14 SB |
| Blake Barthol (7) | Sophomore | 2nd Base | .316; 20 2B, 15 HR, 60 RBI; 5-6 SB |
| Dean Mihos (8) | Sophomore | Centerfield | .290; 7 2B, 3 HR, 23 RBI; 7-11 SB |
| Zack Beach (16) | Graduate | 1st Base | .259; 8 2B, 3B, 16 HR, 54 RBI; 4-5 SB |
| Jake Books (12) | Sophomore | Left Field | .287; 11 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 34 RBI; 2-3 SB |
| Ty Barrango (36) | Sophomore | Shortstop | .267; 3 2B, 6 RBI; 2-2 SB |
Offensively, the Chanticleers are hitting .296 as a team (64th nationally), with 126 doubles (T-23rd), 5 triples, 82 home runs (T-67th) and have knocked in 464 runs. The Chants had an up and down season for retiring head coach Gary Gilmore but found their way into the tournament looking to cause havoc.
Clemson tried, and failed to play the Chants twice this season. The Baseball gods just felt right placing them in the Clemson regional.
The Chants are led offensively by Zack Beach with 16 home runs and 54 RBI. Sophomore backstop Caden Bodine leads the team with 65 RBI, while leadoff hitter Sam Antonacci adds 14 stolen bases to the offensive prowess. This is a very good offensive team.
PROBABLE WEEKEND STARTING PITCHING:
| Name (#) | Year/Hand | 2024 Cumulative Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Riley Eikhoff (26) | RS Junior/RHP | 5-1; 5.30 ERA; 69.2 IP, 53 K, 12 BB; OppBA: .311 |
| Cameron Flukey (2) | Freshman/RHP | 3-2; 5.92 ERA; 48.2 IP, 76 K, 27 BB; OppBA: .249 |
| Alexander Meckley (25) | Junior/RHP | 4-4; 7.05 ERA; 52.1 IP, 57K, 26 BB; OppBA: .256 |
As a pitching staff, Coastal has a 5.96 ERA, 144th in the country through the regular season and conference tournament, while opponents are hitting .270 against the Chants. They’ve surrendered 90 2Bs, 5 3B, and 95 HRs as a staff.
4th Seed – High Point Panthers
Head Coach – Joey Hammond (3rd Season)
Record – 34-25 (17-7 Big South)
Wins against: UMass-Lowell, Ole Miss, Dayton, Rutgers x2, Elon x2, Charleston Southern x2, Richmond x3, Davidson, Radford x3, UNC-Asheville x2, Queens x2, Longwood x2, Presbyterian x3, Mercer, USC-Upstate x4, Winthrop x2, Gardner-Webb x2
Losses against: UMass-Lowell x3, Appalachian State x2, Ole Miss x2, Tennessee, Dayton x2, UNC-Greensboro x2, Rutgers, Charleston Southern x2, Wake Forest x2, UNC-Asheville, Longwood, NC A&T, Mercer x2, USC-Upstate, Winthrop, Gardner-Webb
High Point will face #1 seed Clemson at 7pm on Friday 5/31
Here is the best-guess, projected starters for the High Point Panthers positionally based on their latest games, with their season stats as well:
Position Players:
| Name (#) | Year | Position | 2024 Cumulative Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konni Durschlag (16) | Junior | Centerfield | .304; 15 2B, 5 HR; 12-15 SB |
| Cael Chatham (6) | Graduate | 3rd Base | .314; 15 2B, 3B, 17 HR, 54 RBI; 4-6 SB |
| Peyton Carr (9) | RS Junior | DH | .422; 7 2B, 13 HR, 29 RBI |
| Adam Stuart (20) | RS Senior | Shortstop | .297; 15 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 47 RBI; 5-6 SB |
| Charlie Klinger (8) | Senior | Left Field | .286; 18 2B, 6 HR, 45 RBI; 3-5 SB |
| Eric Grintz (17) | Graduate | Catcher | .310; 8 2B, 11 HR, 31 RBI; 5-6 SB |
| Miggy Echazarreta (40) | Junior | Right Field | .327; 6 2B, 2 HR, 18 RBI; 18-21 SB |
| Brayden Simpson (10) | Sophomore | 2nd Base | .302; 17 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR, 44 RBI; 14-14 SB |
| Patrick Matthews (12) | Senior | 1st Base | .294; 2 2B, 10 RBI; 2-2 SB |
Offensively, the Panthers are hitting .294 as a team (74th nationally), with 122 doubles (T-37th), 7 triples, 90 home runs (T-41st) and have knocked in 393 runs. This High Point steals some bases, going 85-103 (T-53rd) throughout the season.
3rd Baseman Cael Chatham is the straw that stirs the drink for the Panthers. Leading the team with 17 home runs and 54 RBI from the 2 hole in the lineup. Right Fielder Miggy Echazaretta leads the team with 18 successful stolen bases on the year.
PROBABLE WEEKEND STARTING PITCHING:
| Name (#) | Year/Hand | 2024 Cumulative Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Gus Hughes (26) | Senior/RHP | 6-4; 3.86 ERA; 95.2 IP, 104 K, 39 BB; OppBA: .204 |
| Matt Little (46) | Graduate/LHP | 6-2; 4.31 ERA; 79.1 IP, 55 K, 20 BB; OppBA: .285 |
| Brett Wozniak (31) | Senior/LHP | 8-2; 4.41 ERA; 81.2 IP, 49 K, 37 BB; OppBA: .297 |
Clemson will face staff ace Gus Hughes Friday evening. The regular Friday night starter for the Panthers will not overwhelm hitters with great stuff, but he is a tremendous hitter that uses a variety of pitches to keep hitters off-balance all night. Clemson will have to jump on him early in order to have success against the veteran righty.
As a pitching staff, High Point has a 6.08 ERA, 154th in the country through the regular season and conference tournament, while opponents are hitting .271 against the Panthers. They’ve surrendered 100 2Bs, 4 3B, and 93 HRs as a staff.
SUMMARY
The Clemson Baseball team has had a tremendous season so far. Coach Bakich has challenged the fans to be loud and boisterous all weekend. Injured team leader Will Taylor added a tweet that he could not wait for the crowd to be awesome this weekend.
Even as a student, I loved coming to Beautiful Tiger Field or Doug Kingsmore Stadium for the regional every year. Our fan base is amazing and the games are usually a lot of fun.
All of the national pundits have claimed that Clemson has the toughest road to Omaha, playing against a hot Vanderbilt team, a hard-nosed Coastal team, and a conference championship winning High Point team to get started. I have faith. I think they can do it.
The road to Omaha starts in Clemson, South Carolina. Let’s Go! Enjoy it Tiger fans!
As always…
Go Tigers!
