Photos by Clemson Athletics
Ethan Darden gave Notre Dame hitters next to nothing and the Tigers’ lineup did just enough for Clemson to claim a 3-2 win in South Bend, Ind., Saturday. The Irish managed just five hits and plated one unearned run against Darden.
The sophomore lefthander exited with a 3-1 lead at the end of the seventh. Lucas Mahlstedt relieved Darden (5-0, 3.90) and retired two batters in the eighth to set up Austin Gordon. Gordon surrendered a solo homer in the ninth but recovered quickly, inducing a game-ending groundout three pitches later to nail down his fourth save and Clemson’s fifth consecutive win.
The Tigers scored their first two runs on homers from Jacob Hinderleider and Cam Cannarella. Cannarella also walked twice and singled in the third, raising his average to .339. Holding a 2-1 lead, Blake Wright provided what turned out to be a crucial insurance run with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly.
Clemson (27-3, 9-2) has won 12 of its last 13 games and eleven straight ACC series dating back to last season. The Tigers will go for the sweep in South Bend, Ind., at 1 p.m., Sunday.
