The Clemson baseball team and Coastal Carolina were supposed to play two times during the regular season. Both games were canceled for different reasons. It is kind of fitting that these two meet in the winner’s bracket of the Clemson regional. After winning the game 4-3, they’re now one win away from the Super Regional. But there’s still work to be done.
Coastal came into the in-state matchup on fire after dispatching the Vanderbilt Commodores in Game 1 of the regional 13-3.
Clemson never actually went down in this game, however they needed late-game theatrics to take the hard-fought win.
First and foremost, Coach Erik Bakich lauded the Clemson faithful for bringing their energy, “They are bringing it, and we’re not done. We as coaches, players, team need to finish the job and the fans do too.” He continued, “We’re happy with the first two games, but we’re not satisfied and want the fans to feel the same way and be the most energetic yet (tomorrow).”
Clemson started ace Aidan Knaak on the hill trying to shut down the powerful lineup. Knaak limited them to 2 runs over 6 innings and added 5 strikeouts as well.
For the second consecutive night, the offense did not help their starter. The Tigers were able to put some clutch hits together in last night’s game against High Point, and were able to do it again. Bakich brought up the belief in this team for the second straight night being the superpower of his team.
The Tigers opened the game and immediately scored in the first. A sac fly from Blake Wright scored Alden Mathes to take the early lead.
Clemson added another run in the top of the 3rd after loading the bases with no outs. A sparkling defensive play by Coastal centerfielder Dean Mihos robbed Cannarella of extra bases, but it was still good enough for a sac fly and a 2-0 lead after 2 ½.
Coastal immediately followed with a leadoff homerun off of Knaak by leadoff hitter Sam Antonacci and Coastal pulled to within 1.
Coastal added a run in a crazy bottom of the sixth inning off of Knaak. Back-to-back singles to start the inning, followed by a strikeout and then a safety squeeze by Chanticleer second baseman Blake Barthol scored a run. Knaak induced a double-play ball from Mihos but threw low to Jarren Purify at second. For some reason, the runner at first, who was safe initially, took off for second and Purify placed the tag on him for an unorthodox double play to end the inning and threat.
The Tigers added a run in the 7th after a 1-out double by Jacob Hinderleider, one of his 5 hits on the night. Cannarella came through again with his second RBI of the night, scoring Hinderleider on a line-drive single. The Tigers threatened with an Obertop hit, but Tristan Bissetta, last night’s hero, struck out to end the inning and the threat.
Lucas Mahlstedt came in to relieve Knaak and was rudely greeted by Zack Beach who hit the first pitch well out of Doug Kingsmore Stadium to tie the game back up at 3.
In the 9th, Mathes got hit with the first pitch he saw and Hinderleider laced that 5th hit into left field moving Mathes to third. After a Blake Wright pop-out, Cam Cannarella hit one to the left-field fence. Enough to score Mathes and give the Tigers the 9th inning lead. Jimmy Obertop followed strikeout to end the inning.
Hinderleider led the offense going 5-5, and he was asked if it’s games like this that led to his decision to come to Clemson. “Yeah, absolutely. Talking to Coach Bakich, it was hard not to get fired up about playing here. The environment and how much it means to the community and the school. Seeing us succeed in games like this so far has been awesome.”
Austin Gordon was called on in relief and struck out the first two batters. The final hitter hit one to the wall that Bissetta made look easy and the Tigers will continue in the winner’s bracket. Bakich described Gordon, as “a good closer physical needs to have ‘stuff’ and Austin Gordon is elite. Plus the mindset of being a fierce competitor that thrives in close games…(he’s) made an incredible adjustment, and is really thriving in this role in the back end.”
The Tigers will play the winner of High Point and Coastal Carolina tomorrow night at 6PM needing only one win to win the Clemson Regional for the first time since 2010.
