Aidan Knaak, Joe Allen and Lucas Mahlstedt combined on a no-hitter as Clemson picked up a crucial ACC road victory over Pitt 6-1, Thursday.
Knaak (8-1) did much of the heavy lifting, striking out a career-high 12 batters in 7.1 innings. The sophomore righthander suffered some control issues in the eighth, surrendering a run after a pair of walks, a hit batsmen, and a wild pitch. Clemson head coach Erik Bakich called on Joe Allen to put out the fire. Allen hit the first batter he faced to load the bases before inducing a 4-6-3 double play to end the threat and preserve the no-hit bid.
Lucas Mahlstedt recorded the final out to clinch Clemson’s first no-hitter since 2009 vs. USC Upstate.
Jarren Purify (2-for-5) and Jacob Jarrell (4-for-5) each homered to lead the offensive attack. Cam Cannarella (2-for-5) scored, drove in a run and extended his hitting streak to 13 games.
The victory provided a much-needed boost to Clemson’s conference record with the ACC Championship tournament in Durham, NC, just a few days away. The top eight seeds receive a bye into Wednesday’s second round and the top four seeds receive a double-bye to the quarterfinals.
The Tigers are looking to win their first ACC series since taking two of three from Louisville April 17-19. Game 2 between ninth-ranked Clemson (39-15, 16-12) and Pitt is scheduled for 3 p.m., Friday.