Clemson 8 — #8-CCU 4 (Game Summary)
- Clemson snapped a three-game losing streak to Coastal with the victory
- Clutch hitting was a key for the Tigers as Clemson was 5-of-13 with RISP (.385) while Coastal was 2-of-14 (.143) in the same scenario
- Clemson initiated the scoring by administering a dose of their own medicine to the Chanticleers. After back-to-back one-out singles from Jarren Purify and Jack Crighton, Bryce Clavon stepped up to the plate and executed a safety squeeze to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead as Purify touched home with the first run of the game. Clemson also scored its final run of the game on a squeeze bunt in the ninth from Jason Fultz, Jr. The Tigers entered the game tied for 235th nationally with just twelve sacrifice hits on the season
- Clemson upped its advantage in the third by plating two runs, but it could have been a much bigger inning for the Tigers. After a pair of walks to Nate Savoie and Luke Gaffney to lead off the frame, Jacob Jarrell singled to load the bases. Tryston McCladdie followed with a two-run single into center field to give the visitors a 3-0 lead. After Crighton singled with one out, the Tigers had the Chanticleers wobbling. However, CCU reliever Colby Richardson was able to induce a double play off the bat of Clavon to end the threat and hold Clemson’s lead at 3-0
- After CCU cut the lead to 3-1 with a run in the fifth, the Tigers got all the insurance they would need
- Clemson scored twice in the sixth, with one of the runs coming home on a rare CCU error as the Tigers opened a 5-1 lead heading to the home half of the sixth. Blake Barthol’s error at second base was just the 37th of the season by the Chanticleers. Coastal’s .979 fielding percentage entering the game ranked 34th nationally
- CCU got back in the game in the bottom half of the sixth on a two-run double from Walker Mitchell, but the Tigers put the game away with a two-spot of their own in the 8th and a single run in the ninth to seal the win
- Clemson improved to 29-20 with a three-game set against Florida State set for this weekend. Meantime, CCU fell to 33-15 with Old Dominion on deck starting Friday in Conway. During the weekend series with the Monarchs, Coastal will honor the 2016 CWS National Championship team
Erik Bakich Postgame
Kevin Schnall Postgame
