Clemson baseball showed serious fight this weekend, bouncing back from a tough run-rule loss to pull off a dramatic 4-3 win in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Georgia Tech. The Tigers’ late comeback secured their first road series win of the season and proved they can handle adversity in ACC play.
Clemson (26-5, 6-3 ACC) started the series strong with a 9-6 win on Friday night, but Saturday’s opener was a disaster. Georgia Tech (22-6, 8-4 ACC) exploded for six home runs, including four in one inning, in an 18-2 blowout that ended in just seven innings. Instead of letting that loss shake them, the Tigers regrouped and battled hard to take the series finale in thrilling fashion.
Game 1 on Saturday was all Yellow Jackets. They jumped ahead early and never let up, scoring 10 runs in the fourth inning alone. Kyle Lodise and John Giesler both crushed three-run homers, while Alex Hernandez and Parker Brosius added solo shots. Lodise had a monster game, finishing with six RBIs and two home runs.
Clemson’s offense struggled, managing just two runs—a fifth-inning RBI single from Andrew Ciufo and a solo homer by Tryston McCladdie in the sixth. Starting pitcher Ethan Darden (3-2) had a rough outing, giving up seven runs over 3.1 innings. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech’s Brady Jones (3-0) dominated, allowing just three hits and one unearned run in five innings.
The loss was Georgia Tech’s biggest win over Clemson since 2006, but the Tigers didn’t dwell on it. They came out with renewed energy in the nightcap, determined to leave Atlanta with a series victory.
The series finale was a tense, back-and-forth battle. Clemson took an early 2-1 lead with RBI hits from Luke Gaffney and Collin Priest in the first two innings. Georgia Tech kept pushing, tying the game in the third before taking a 3-2 lead in the eighth on a two-run homer by Drew Burress. Suddenly, the Tigers were down to their final three outs and on the verge of dropping the series.
But Clemson wasn’t ready to give up.
In the ninth inning, the Tigers loaded the bases with one out after a defensive mistake by Georgia Tech. Priest was then hit by a pitch, forcing in the tying run. With two outs, Ciufo stepped up and delivered the clutch moment of the weekend—an infield single that brought home the go-ahead run, sending the Clemson dugout into celebration.
B.J. Bailey was a huge part of Clemson’s success, making his first start of the season and pitching a career-high 6.2 innings. He struck out seven batters and allowed just one run, keeping the Tigers in the game. Reed Garris (2-0) earned the win in relief, while Caden Gaudette (0-1) took the loss for Georgia Tech.
Bailey’s impressive outing could give Clemson head coach Erik Bakich another reliable starting option moving forward. Usual Sunday starter Justin LeGuernic has struggled lately, and Bailey’s ability to handle a tough Georgia Tech lineup makes him a strong alternative.
Clemson’s star outfielder Cam Cannarella, a projected first-round MLB draft pick, had a quieter weekend at the plate, going 2-for-8. However, his patience at the plate stood out—he drew five walks in the series, showing why he’s one of the toughest outs in college baseball. Even when he’s not getting hits, he finds ways to get on base and contribute.
Lucas Mahlstedt once again proved why he’s one of the nation’s top relievers. In Friday’s opener, he came in when the game was tight and shut the door, throwing 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and just one earned run. He now leads the country with eight saves and continues to be a reliable arm for the Tigers in high-pressure moments.
With another ACC series win in hand, Clemson now turns its attention to a midweek matchup against Georgia Southern in North Augusta, S.C. The Tigers face the Eagles on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+ as they look to build on their road success before jumping back into conference play.
This weekend showed that Clemson isn’t just a talented team—it’s a resilient one. The Tigers now lead the all-time series against Georgia Tech, 123-119-3, and if this series was any indication, there will be plenty more exciting battles between these two programs in the future.
