Once again, Clemson found itself down heading into its final turn at the plate … and once again, the Tigers’ offense delivered the clutch hits when it mattered most. This time, it was catcher Jacob Jarrell stepping into the spotlight and supplying the heroics. Jarrell’s ninth-inning double plated the go-ahead runs and vaulted Clemson to a 14-12 victory over Charlotte at Truist Field, Tuesday.
The Tigers, newly minted as the no. 2 team in the nation, jumped all over the 49ers to grab a 9-2 lead. Jimmy Obertop and Jacob Hinderleider helped propel Clemson into the lead with homers in the early innings. For Obertop, it was his 16th home run of the season. It was long ball no. 11 for Hinderleider. But a costly error and shaky relief pitching opened the door for Charlotte’s comeback. The Niners scored five runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and four more in the seventh to take a 12-10 advantage.
The Tigers came up empty in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings before springing back to life in their final at-bat. Cam Cannarella doubled and came around to score on Tristan Bissetta’s sacrifice fly. Jack Crighton tied it up with an RBI triple, setting the stage for Jarrell. The sophomore backstop came to the plate with two outs and runners at the corners. Jarrell worked the count in his favor before lining a double to left to score both runners and cap the rally.
The drama didn’t end there, however, as Austin Gordon allowed the first two runners to reach in the bottom of the ninth before retiring the next three to pick up his eighth save.
Clemson (37-10) returns to conference action this weekend at 12th-ranked Wake Forest. The Tigers and the Demon Deacons will open their three-game series at 6 p.m., Friday.
Box Score
Postgame comments from Erik Bakich,
Jack Crighton and Jacob Jarrell
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