Clemson, SC: Clemson baseball has been living dangerously all season long, but it’s become part of the team’s charm. Whether it’s coming from behind twenty-five different times or keeping their opponent at bay long enough to record all twenty-seven outs, the Tigers are must-see TV. They were again on Saturday in the winner’s bracket game of the NCAA Regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium vs. Coastal Carolina.
Alden Mathes scored three runs and Cam Cannarella drove in three as the Tigers beat the Chanticleers 4-3 to advance into the regional final on Sunday night. CCU will be left wondering, “What could have been?” as they prepare for an elimination game on Sunday at noon versus High Point. The winner between the two former Big South Conference rivals would have to defeat Clemson twice to advance to the Super Regionals.
Cannarella’s sacrifice fly in the ninth inning scored the go-ahead run, but Jacob Hinderleider was the star for the Tigers. The Clemson shortstop went 5-for-5 at the plate, becoming the fifth Tiger in history to total five hits in an NCAA Tournament game and the first since 2002, when Khalil Greene recorded the feat.
Blake Wright’s sacrifice fly in the first inning scored the game’s first run, then Cannarella lofted a sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning. Sam Antonacci belted a solo homer in the bottom of the third to put the Chanticleers on the board, and then in the sixth, Blake Barthol’s squeeze bunt tied the game at 2.
Cannarella grounded a two-out single to score the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh inning, then Zack Beach led off the bottom of the frame with a homer to level the score once again, this time at 3-3.
Jacob McGovern (3-0) earned the win, while Austin Gordon pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his 10th save of the year. Cameron Flukey (3-3) suffered the loss.
Box Score
CU HC Erik Bakich, CF Cam Cannarella, and SS Jacob Hinderleider — NCAA Postgame
CCU HC Gary Gilmore & 1B Zack Beach — NCAA Postgame Press Conference
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