College baseball can be unpredictable, and Sunday’s showdown between No. 4 Clemson and No. 11 Wake Forest proved just that. What started as a nightmare for the Tigers turned into one of their most memorable wins of the season. Trailing 6-0 early, Clemson mounted an incredible comeback, culminating in a wild pitch that allowed Tryston McCladdie to sprint home for the walk-off run in a dramatic 7-6 victory at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The win secured the series for Clemson (23-3, 4-2 ACC) and sent a message that this team doesn’t back down, no matter the odds.
Wake Forest (19-6, 7-2 ACC) came out swinging, silencing the home crowd with a dominant start. Ryan Preisano’s towering two-run homer highlighted a three-run first inning, and the Demon Deacons piled on three more runs in the second to take what seemed like an insurmountable lead. Clemson’s pitching struggled early, and Wake Forest took full advantage, stringing together timely hits and capitalizing on defensive miscues.
But the Tigers weren’t about to roll over. In the bottom of the second, Dominic Listi gave them a glimmer of hope with a two-out RBI double. At the time, it didn’t seem like much, but it turned out to be the spark Clemson needed.
Slowly but surely, the Tigers clawed their way back. Listi came through again in the sixth, delivering a clutch two-out single that brought in two runs, cutting the deficit to 6-3. Then, in the eighth inning, freshman Cam Cannarella stepped up in a pressure-packed moment, lacing a single to drive in two more runs. Suddenly, Wake Forest’s lead was down to just one. Moments later, Luke Gaffney’s ground-ball single brought home the tying run, and the energy inside Doug Kingsmore Stadium reached a fever pitch.
By the time the ninth inning rolled around, it felt like only one team had momentum. McCladdie, who had been relatively quiet all game, led off with a walk. His aggressive baserunning proved crucial—he stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and stood just 90 feet away from victory. Then, on a 2-0 pitch to Andrew Ciufo, Wake Forest’s pitcher lost control of a fastball, sending it to the backstop. McCladdie wasted no time, bolting home to score the game-winning run as his teammates erupted in celebration.
After the game, McCladdie spoke about the team’s belief in each other.
Tryston McCladdie
“This team is great. We always know we can come back, no matter how much we are down. It’s the belief our coaches have in us and the trust we have in each other—it’s just an everyday thing. Credit to Wake Forest; they have a really good team. But for us, it’s about having a good approach and wanting to win really bad. It doesn’t matter if you’re down or up, we give it everything we’ve got.”
Clemson’s bullpen played a major role in the comeback, especially Lucas Mahlstedt, who shut down Wake Forest’s offense over the final three innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out three to pick up the win.
“Wake Forest has great hitters, one through nine, and you have to be sharp to compete with a lineup like that,” Mahlstedt said. “Having the defense behind me, with everyone making plays—like that key bunt play where we got the lead out—is exactly what you need against an explosive offense. I’m just grateful for the team effort that made it possible.”
Lucas Mahlsedt
Wake Forest, meanwhile, saw its bullpen falter late, unable to protect the lead. Josh Gunther took the loss after allowing the winning run, but the entire pitching staff struggled to slow down Clemson’s relentless attack in the final innings.
Bakich emphasized his team’s never-say-die mentality.
Head coach, Eric Bakich
“I’m just really proud of the way we battled and fought—it all goes back to the mindset that we’re never out of the fight. It’s one thing to say it, but it’s another thing to do it. This is just another one of those great comeback stories we’ve been able to create over the past few years.”
Sunday’s win was more than just another tally in the standings—it was a statement. Rallying from six runs down against a top-15 opponent highlights Clemson’s resilience and ability to thrive under pressure. The Tigers will look to keep the momentum rolling when they host Coastal Carolina on Tuesday.
One thing is certain—if Sunday’s game was any indication, both Clemson and Wake Forest will be forces to be reckoned with as the season unfolds. And if they meet again in the ACC Tournament or beyond, it’s bound to be another classic.
