It’s finally here, Clemson Baseball has been deemed the #11 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host the Clemson Regional this weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Many think that Clemson was given a pretty tough draw with a good mix of teams that can really pitch it, and another that can flat out mash the baseball.
My feeling is that all regionals are tough. It is either a really good team that got hot late, a conference champion, or an SEC team that seemingly gets in over others more deserving. Gone are the cupcake games this time of year.
Coach Erik Bakich has implored the fans to get out early and be loud. There is nothing better than a raucous crowd at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. And now with the addition of a beer garden, there’s no excuses. Here’s to hoping the fans help wake the echoes of the Omaha and Super Regional teams of the past to do something special, again this weekend. It’s not going to be easy, as the opponents are extremely talented.
Clemson Briefly:
Clemson enters the regional with a record of 44-16 (18-12 ACC) good enough for the 11th overall seed and a home regional and (not to get ahead of myself) would travel to face the winner of the LSU Regional in Baton Rouge, unless LSU were to lose.
Clemson Regular Season Leaders:
Batting
Batting Average: Cam Cannarella (.339); Dominic Listi (.306)
Hits: Canarella (74); Listi (59); Josh Paino (59); Jarren Purify (57)
Home Runs: Jacob Jarrell (15); Colin Priest (12); Paino (10)
Runs Batted In: Priest (49); Paino (47); Listi (47)
On Base %: Listi (.504); Cannarella (.491)
OPS: Listi (.976); Cannarella (.964)
Stolen Bases: Jarren Purify (27); Listi (10); Paino (10)
Pitching
Wins: Aidan Knaak (9); Joe Allen (5)
Innings Pitched: Knaak (84.1); BJ Bailey (58.2); Drew Titsworth (50.2)
Strikeouts: Knaak (106); Lucas Mahlstedt (59); Bailey (50)
Saves: Mahlstedt (15); Reed Garris (3)
Here is your preview of ALL 3 teams participating in the Clemson Regional in 2025:
2nd Seed – West Virginia Mountaineers
Head Coach – Steve Sabins (1st Season)
Record – 41-14 (19-9 Big XII)
Wins against: Jacksonville (x3), Lipscomb (x4), Ohio, Queens (x4), Kennesaw State (x2), Towson, Oklahoma State, James Madison (x2), Arizona, Marshall (x2), BYU (x2), Ohio State, Pitt, Utah (x3), Houston (x3), Cincinnati (x4; Big XII Tourney 1st rd), Central Florida (x3), Texas Tech (x2), Kansas State
Losses against: Kennesaw State, Arizona (x2; Big XII Tourney 2nd rd), BYU, Penn State, Marshall, Texas Tech, Pitt, Kansas State (x2), Kansas (x3)
West Virginia will play #3 Seed Kentucky Wildcats at Noon on Friday 5/30
Here is the best-guess, projected starters for the West Virginia Mountaineers positionally based on their latest games, with their season stats as well:
Position Players
| Name (Jersey #) | Year | Position | 2025 Statistics |
| Skylar King (6) | Junior | Centerfield | .310; 8 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 29 RBI; 13-23 SB |
| Kyle West (39) | Senior | Left Field | .354; 15 2B, 10 HR, 35 RBI; 6-8 SB |
| Jace Rinehart (0) | Senior | Right Field | .324; 20 2B, 8 HR, 50 RBI; 3-6 SB |
| Sam White (11) | Junior | Designated Hitter | .353; 15 2B, 4 HR, 41 RBI; 9-13 SB |
| Gavin Kelly (2) | Freshman | 2nd Base | .301; 5 2B, 2 3B, HR, 32 RBI; 14-16 SB |
| Spencer Barrett (18) | Sophomore | 3rd Base | .278; 5 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI; 3-3 SB |
| Logan Sauve (33) | Junior | Catcher | .285; 12 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 33 RBI; 7-7 SB |
| Grant Hussey (9) | Senior | 1st Base | .277; 12 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 35 RBI; 7-8 SB |
| Brodie Kresser (12) | Senior | Shortstop | .275; 11 2B, 3 HR, 40 RBI; 13-16 SB |
Offensively, the Mountaineers are hitting .298 as a team (55th nationally), with 115 doubles (T-53rd), 11 triples (T-113), 54 home runs (T-135th) and have scored 430 runs (62nd). This West Virginia team does run on the basepaths a good bit; 105-137 (T-47th)
Senior Outfielder Kyle West leads the team in average (.354) and home runs (10), followed closely by USC-Upstate transfer Jace Rinehart with 8. Rinehart also leads the team in runs batted in (50). Non-everyday starter Armani Guzman leads the team with 15 stolen bases, followed by Freshman 2nd baseman Gavin Kelly with 14; and leadoff hitter Skylar King with 13.
Probable Weekend Starting Pitching
| Name (Jersey #) | Year | Hand | 2025 Statistics |
| Griffin Kirn (54) | Redshirt Senior | LHP | 5-2; 3.32 ERA, 15 app, 86.2 IP, 92 K, 27 BB; OppBA: .241 |
| Gavin Van Kempen (35) | Junior | RHP | 2-0; 6.13 ERA, 14 app, 39.2 IP, 37 K, 26 BB; OppBA: .261 |
| David Hagen (10) | Freshman | RHP | 2-0; 2.35 ERA, 11 app, 23 IP, 13 K, 13 BB; OppBA: .210 |
| Jack Kartsonas (67) | Graduate | RHP | 6-3; 2.90 ERA, 18 app, 59 IP, 69 K, 15 BB; OppBA: .242 |
As a pitching staff, West Virginia has a 4.28 ERA, 21st in the country through the regular season and conference tournament, while opponents are hitting .237 against the Mountaineers. They’ve surrendered 78 2Bs, 3 3B, and 52 HRs as a staff.
#3 Seed – Kentucky Wildcats
Head Coach – Nick Mingione (9th Season
Record – 29-24 (13-17 SEC)
Wins against: Morehead State, Lipscomb, Belmont (x3), Evansville, Hofstra (x3), Eastern Kentucky, Wofford (x2), Northern Illinois, Georgia, Auburn, Texas A&M (x2), Ole Miss, Texas, Miami (OH), Tennessee (x2), Louisville, South Carolina (x2), Oklahoma, Northern Kentucky
Losses against: Lipscomb, Woffod, Georgia (x2), Murray State, Auburn (x2), Xavier, Texas A&M, Ole Miss (x2), Louisville, Texas (x2), Tennessee, South Carolina, Western Kentucky, Mississippi State (x3), Vanderbilt (x3), Oklahoma (SEC 1st Rd)
Kentucky will face 2nd Seed West Virginia Mountaineers at Noon on Friday 5/30
Here is the best-guess, projected starters for the Kentucky Wildcats positionally based on their latest games, with their season stats as well:
Position Players
| Name (Jersey #) | Year | Position | 2025 Statistics |
| Tyler Bell (6) | Freshman | Shortstop | .306; 17 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 46 RBI; 11-16 SB |
| Luke Lawrence (10) | Junior | 2nd Base | .299; 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 35 RBI; 11-16 SB |
| Cole Hage (12) | Senior | Left Field | .317; 12 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 39 RBI; 14-20 SB |
| James McCoy (13) | Redshirt Junior | Right Field | .288; 5 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI; 6-6 SB |
| Patrick Herrera (1) | Senior | 3rd Base | .289; 6 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 32 RBI; 11-14 SB |
| Carson Hansen (34) | Junior | Centerfield | .247; 2 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 21 RBI; 5-6 SB |
| Kyuss Gargett (33) | Sophomore | Designated Hitter | .282; 3 2B, HR, 16 RBI; 7-9 SB |
| Hudson Brown (23) | Redshirt Freshman | 1st Base | .252; 7 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI; 4-4 SB |
| Devin Burkes (7) | Redshirt 5th Year | Catcher | .225; 8 2B, 5 HR, 29 RBI; 12-15 SB |
Offensively, the Wildcats are hitting .268 as a team (213th nationally), with 91 doubles (T-194th), 14 triples (T-68th), 52 home runs (T-174th) and have scored 357 runs (T-171st). The ‘Cats had a disappointing season in conference play.
The Wildcats are led offensively by Senior outfielder Cole Hage with 12 home runs and hitting a team leading .317. Freshman leadoff hitter Tyler Bell leads the team with 46 RBI, while also hitting 10 home runs from the top of the lineup
Probable Weekend Starting Pitching
| Name (Jersey #) | Year | Hand | 2025 Statistics |
| Ben Cleaver (48) | Sophomore | LHP | 6-3; 3.39 ERA, 14 app, 77 IP, 87 K, 29 BB; OppBA: .180 |
| Nic McCay (5) | Senior | RHP | 5-0; 4.37 ERA, 14 app, 68 IP, 66 K, 38 BB; OppBA: .202 |
| Nate Harris (36) | Freshman | RHP | 4-2; 4.72 ERA, 12 app, 53.1 IP, 38 K, 22 BB; OppBA: .240 |
As a pitching staff, Kentucky has a 4.51 ERA, 33rd in the country through the regular season and conference tournament, while opponents are hitting .242 against the Cats. They’ve surrendered 70 2Bs, 8 3B, and 50 HRs as a staff.
4th Seed – USC-Upstate Spartans
Head Coach – Kane Sweeney (1st Season)
Record – 36-23 (19-5 Big South)
Wins against: Boston College, Bowling Green, Le Moyne, Western Carolina, UMass-Lowell (x2), Troy, Stetson, Wofford, Charleston Southern (x4; including Conf. tournament), NC State, East Tennessee State, High Point (x3; including Conf. tournament), Winthrop (x3; including Conf. tournament), UNC-Greensboro (x2), Gardner-Webb (x3), Longwood (x2), Georgia State, Presbyterian (x3), UNC-Asheville (x3)
Losses against: Boston College, Western Carolina, Bowling Green, UMass-Lowell, CLEMSON, Troy (x2), Stetson, Radford (x3), East Tennessee State (x2), Wofford (x2), Charlotte, High Point, South Carolina, UNC-Greensboro, Tennessee Tech (x2), Longwood, College of Charleston
USC-Upstate will face #1 seed Clemson Tigers at 6pm EST on Friday 5/30
Here is the best-guess, projected starters for the USC-Upstate Spartans positionally based on their latest games, with their season stats as well:
Position Players
| Name (Jersey #) | Year | Position | 2025 Statistics |
| Henry Zenor (44) | Redshirt Freshman | Left Field | .367; 21 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 40 RBI; 5-8 SB |
| Vance Sheehan (10) | Sophomore | Shortstop | .331; 15 2B, 12 HR, 57 RBI; 25-30 SB |
| Scott Campbell (9) | Redshirt Junior | Right Field | .400; 11 2B, 11 HR, 54 RBI; 21-24 SB |
| Johnny Sweeney (17) | Senior | Designated Hitter | .351; 15 2B, 17 HR, 81 RBI; 3-3 SB |
| Scott Newman (0) | Redshirt Sophomore | Centerfield | .300; 9 2B, 18 HR, 59 RBI; 11-20 SB |
| Preston Lucas (12) | Junior | Catcher | .339; 18 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 61 RBI; 3-6 SB |
| Gage Griggs (15) | Junior | 2nd Base | .301; 9 2B, 4 HR, 26 RBI; 9-11 SB |
| Jake Armsey (3) | Redshirt Junior | 1st Base | .285; 9 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 35 RBI |
| Alex Ritzel (5) | Redshirt Junior | 3rd Base | .239; 5 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBI; 4-6 SB |
Offensively, the Spartans are hitting .319 as a team (7th nationally), with 137 doubles (6th), 6 triples (T-251st), 99 home runs (T-14th) and have scored 573 runs, 2nd in the nation in this category. This team can score with anyone. They have 88 stolen bases in 116 attempts.
Centerfielder Scott Newman leads this potent offense with 18 home runs, followed closely by Senior DH Johnny Sweeney (17). Sweeney however, leads the team with an eye-popping 81 RBIs and 1.206 OPS. Junior right fielder Scott Campbell is also above 1 in OPS with 1.155. Two Spartans are over 20 stolen bases: Campbell (21-24) and Sophomore shortstop Vance Sheehan leading the team with 25 of 30.
Probable Weekend Starting Pitching
| Name (Jersey #) | Year | Hand | 2025 Statistics |
| Amp Phillips (13) | Redshirt Sophomore | RHP | 7-2; 3.58 ERA; 19 app, 78 IP, 72 K, 28 BB; OppBA: .208 |
| Darin Kuskie (33) | Sophomore | RHP | 5-1; 5.83 ERA; 15 app, 54 IP, 59 K, 23 BB; OppBA: .255 |
| Chris Torres (23) | Sophomore | LHP | 8-4; 4.72 ERA; 16 app, 76.1 IP, 75 K, 27 BB; OppBA: .288 |
Clemson will likely face staff ace Amp Phillips Friday evening. The regular Friday night starter for the Spartans will not overwhelm hitters with plus stuff, but he is a tremendous pitcher that uses a variety of pitches to keep hitters off-balance all night. Clemson will have to jump on him early in order to have success against the righty, as his hitters can certainly provide on offense.
As a pitching staff, Upstate has a 5.40 ERA, 98th in the country through the regular season and conference tournament, while opponents are hitting .262 against the Spartans. They’ve surrendered 88 2Bs, 10 3B, and 90 HRs as a staff.
Summary
The Clemson Baseball team has had a great season so far. Coach Bakich has challenged the fans to be loud and boisterous all weekend. The injury bug has hit this team hard, especially when it comes to pitching depth. That was evident in the ACC Tournament.
The Tigers will really want to stay out of the losers bracket in this regional to have a shot to get out of it and move on to next weekend’s Supers.
This regional is full of quality pitching, and a 4-see that can mash. The Tigers will have their work cut out for them to get out of the regional as winners, but I have faith. I think they can and will do it.
The road to Omaha starts in Clemson, South Carolina. Let’s Go! Enjoy it Tiger fans! Get out to DKS and get loud!
