The No. 4 Clemson Tigers defeated the Liberty Flames 6-4 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, marking their 14th consecutive victory and improving their season record to an impressive 16-1. The Flames, who fell to 11-5, faced a Tiger team on a roll and struggled against a potent offense that capitalized on critical moments.
One of the game’s early highlights came from South Carolina native Camden Troyer, a former Tiger who opened the scoring with a solo homer in the top of the second inning, putting Liberty ahead 1-0. This lead did not last long, however, as Clemson answered in dramatic fashion. Luke Gaffney, who has shown remarkable power this season, quickly turned the momentum back to the Tigers by hitting a two-run homer, his second of the year. This blast was soon followed by Andrew Ciufo’s two-run shot just two batters later, marking his second home run of the campaign as well. In a matter of minutes, Clemson surged ahead 4-1, a lead they would not relinquish.
The Tigers extended their advantage further, scoring an unearned run in the third inning. Jarren Purify, known for his hitting prowess, led off the inning with a single, which extended his hitting streak to an impressive 10 games. Later in the fourth, Cam Cannarella added to the scoreboard with a key two-out, run-scoring single that pushed the Tigers’ lead to 5-1.
Despite a strong start from Liberty, who seemed poised to create an upset, they struggled to find their rhythm against Clemson’s pitching. Flames’ starter Josh Swink, unfortunately, couldn’t contain the powerful Tiger lineup, allowing five runs (four earned) over just two innings of work before exiting the game. Reliever B.J. Bailey, who stepped up for Clemson, showcased his skills by pitching four pivotal innings, allowing only two hits and striking out four players. His performance earned him the win, pushing his record to 2-0 this season.
Liberty attempted to claw back; an unearned run came in the sixth inning on Troyer’s groundout, giving Troyer a notable contribution for both teams. In the eighth, a rally brought the Flames within two runs with Cal Early’s single and another fielder’s choice, narrowing the score to 6-4. However, the Tigers’ bullpen, led by the reliable Lucas Mahlstedt, closed the door by recording his fifth save of the year, securing the victory for Clemson.
As the series progresses, Clemson displays not just their formidable offense but also a developing pitching staff that is gaining confidence with every outing. With the final game of the series poised for Wednesday at 4 p.m. on the ACC Network Extra, both teams face crucial implications for their respective futures. A win for Clemson would solidify their spot among the nation’s elite, enhancing their momentum as they head into more significant matchups ahead. Conversely, Liberty will seek to bounce back and regain their footing, needing a strong performance to avoid losing their series against a ranked opponent. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and both teams are eager to come out strong in the series finale.
