The Clemson baseball overcame the Davidson Wildcats in a 7-4 victory marked by clutch performances and key moments. The Tigers, bolstered by multi-hit games from Jarren Purify and Andrew Ciufo, secured their third consecutive win behind timely hitting and strategic bullpen management.
The Tigers struck early in the first inning when leadoff hitter Jarren Purify singled to get the offense rolling. Cam Cannarella followed suit with a single, putting runners on the corners for Luke Gaffney, whose sacrifice fly brought Purify home for a 1-0 lead. However, Davidson’s starting pitcher held the Tigers to just one run in the opening frame, setting the tone for a competitive contest.
Davidson responded in the third inning with a two-run burst, capitalizing on a single by Michael O’Shaughnessy that drove in two runs. This gave the Wildcats a 2-1 lead, forcing Clemson starter Nolan Knaak to dig deep and keep the damage minimal.
The Tigers clawed back in the fourth inning, tying the game 2-2 when Andrew Ciufo’s clutch single brought Collin Priest home. However, an aggressive base-running decision saw Bissetta thrown out at third, ending the inning and leaving the game tightly contested.
The fifth inning proved pivotal for Clemson. Dom Listi’s walk and Purify’s single created an opportunity for Gaffney, whose sacrifice fly scored Listi and reclaimed the lead for Clemson at 3-2.
Clemson’s offense truly came alive in the sixth inning, highlighted by Andrew Ciufo’s RBI single and Purify’s sacrifice fly. The Tigers extended their lead to 5-2, showing patience at the plate and taking advantage of Davidson’s miscues. “Our guys were dialed in and focused on executing,” said head coach Erik Bakich after the game.
Davidson made a valiant effort in the seventh inning to narrow the gap. Noah Jouras doubled and later scored on Eli Putnam’s single, cutting Clemson’s lead to 5-3. Moments later, Cider Cannon’s RBI single brought Davidson within one run, but Clemson’s bullpen stepped up. Lucas Mahlstedt entered the game and halted Davidson’s momentum, protecting the slim lead.
In the eighth inning, Jarren Purify delivered the decisive blow—a towering home run to left field that extended Clemson’s lead to 7-4.
“Honestly, I didn’t even realize it was gone,” said Purify. “I was just trying to get out of the box fast.”
Jarren Purify
Purify’s homer not only provided breathing room for the Tigers but also highlighted his standout performance. Along with his multi-hit game, Purify’s leadership at the top of the order energized the team throughout the night.
Clemson’s bullpen was instrumental in securing the win. Jacob McGovern, Joe Allen, and Lucas Mahlstedt combined to limit Davidson to just two runs over the final four innings. The defense also stepped up, executing critical plays to prevent Davidson from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.
Andrew Ciufo praised the team’s defensive preparation, saying,
Andrew Ciufo
“It speaks volumes about how Coach Schnabel prepares the infield and how close we are as a unit. Nights like this remind me why I came back for another year.”
“The main reason I’m back this year is because of Coach Bakich. The culture here is amazing and I knew it would be good for me to be a kid 1 more year.”
Andrew Ciufo
Coach Erik Bakich commended the team’s resilience and execution, while also celebrating a milestone for Clemson SID Brian Hennessy, who covered his 1,400th consecutive game. “This was a team win, and milestones like Brian’s remind us how special this program is,” Bakich remarked.
For the Tigers, the victory reinforced their strong start to the season and highlighted their offensive depth. With Purify, Ciufo, and others stepping up, Clemson is poised to build on its momentum.
Davidson, on the other hand, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to capitalize on key opportunities. Their inability to match Clemson’s bullpen depth proved costly.
What’s Next?
Clemson will look to extend their 11 game winning streak as they prepare for a game 2 of the series against Davidson Saturday at 3pm in DKS on ACCX.
