Cam Cannarella added an impressive collegiate legacy, as the Tigers (44-16) take care of business against the USC Upstate Spartans (36-23) 7-3 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the night cap of Clemson regional. Poor weather pushed the previous regional matchup to 2:30, moving Clemson’s start time from 6pm to 7:30. Clemson opened the tournament with RHP Drew Titsworth (5-1, 4.26 ERA). USC Upstate trotted out RHP Amp Phillips (7-2, 3.58 ERA).
“I love the big moments, and when my time comes I will shine in the moment”
– Cam Cannarella on his 2 RBI double in the 5th
Earlier in the afternoon, West Virginia came back from a 3-0 deficit over the Kentucky Wildcats, complete with a walk off sac fly in the bottom of the 9th. The victory places the Mountaneers in the winners bracket for this double elimination tournament.
USC Upstate started out hot, with senior Johnny Sweeny crushing homer to right field in the top of the 2nd. The hit marked his 18th home run of the season, and the Spartans 100th home run on the year. A Scott Newman double in the 4th led to a Gage Griggs RBI, bringing Newman to home plate and extending the lead to two.
Titsworth’s night ends following a rough start in the 5th. The starter ends the night with four innings pitched, six hits and two earned runs allowed. Shortly after, USC Upstates replaces starter Amp Phillips, with RHP Cooper Ellingworth coming in relief. Phillips ended the night with six innings pitched, with an impressive nine strikeouts shadowed by three earned runs allowed.
Lefty Jacob McGovern enters in relief, coming in with the bases loaded, nobody out, and the Spartans toughest part of the lineup due up. McGovern struck out Scott Campbell (.511 OBP) and Johnny Sweeny (.504 OBP) and closed out the inning with a force out to Scott Newman. The heroic inning from the young leftie kept Clemson alive heading into the bottom of the 5th.
The Tigers immediately took advantage of the momentum, with Cam Cannarealla drilling a 2 RBI double with nobody out to tie the game. A pair of sac fly’s take Cannarella home, giving Clemson a 3-2 lead heading into the 6th inning.
Amp Phillips’ night ends heading into the 7th, with RHP Cooper Ellingworth coming in relief. Phillips ended the night with six innings pitched, with an impressive nine strikeouts shadowed by three earned runs allowed.
The 8th inning begins in the Spartans favor, with Centerfielder Scott Newman crushing his second hit of the night, homering to centerfield. The hit marks Newmans 19th home run of the season, tying the game late. The celebration is short lived, however, as the Tigers respond with a dominant 8th inning. TP Wentworth opens the scoring with an RBI single, and Cam Cannerella clears the bases shortly after, going yard with a three run homer. Cam ends an incredible night 3/5 with 4 RBI’s and a HR. The hit proves to be the dagger for the Tigers, as they close out the 9th en route to a 7-3 victory.
With the win tonight, number 12 Clemson will face off against the West Virginia Mountaneers on Saturday, May 31st, at 6pm EST. USC Upstate will face an elimination game at noon Saturday against the Kentucky Wildcats.
