Cam Cannarella collected five hits and Josh Paino drove in three runs in Clemson’s 6-4 victory over The Citadel at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Tuesday.
Paino broke a fifth-inning tie with a two-run homer into the left field bleachers. An inning later, the Citadel sliced the lead in half on Noah Cadiz’s RBI double. The Bulldogs had a chance to tie it three batters later but came up empty. With Cadiz on second, Cole Canty singled through the left side. Left fielder Dominic Listi charged hard and fired a one-hopper toward the plate to cut down Cadiz and preserve Clemson’s 5-4 advantage.
Luke Brown threw a perfect seventh and Lucas Mahlstedt (S, 7) shut it down from there as the Tigers improved to 20-2.
Cannarella (RBI, 2 runs, SB) singled in each of his five turns at the plate, raising his average to .351. Nathan Dvorsky (4-0) picked up the win in relief of starter Brendon Bennett.
The Citadel (11-10) briefly held the lead in the third after Travis Elliott’s single plated Maddox Floyd, but Clemson’s lineup proved to be too potent. The Tigers reached base 15 times and kept the pressure on throughout the game.
The two clubs will square off again, Wednesday. First pitch from Doug Kingsmore Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.