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First pitch for Friday's game will be at 6:30 pm followed by 4:00 pm on Saturday. Sunday's game will start at 1:00 pm. All three games can be heard on Tigercast or Clemson Tiger Sport network as well as seen live on ESPN3.
The 19th ranked Tigers come into the weekend series on a 4 game winning streak after taking games 2 and 3 against Wake Forest in the opening ACC series and sweeping the mid-week series at the Citadel. Clemson is off to their best start since 2010 with 13-3 (2-1 ACC) record. The Tigers offense is a huge reason for the great start to the 2016 season as they are averaging 7.4 runs per games with a team average of .289. Leading the offense is sensational freshman Seth Beer, who was named national player of week, after belting 4 homes runs and 10 RBI's in 4 games including a huge 9th inning double to help the Tigers defeat Winthrop. He is currently riding a 14 game hit streak with a .426 average, team leading 22 RBI's, and 7 home runs. The Tigers wouldn't be where they are today without Seth Beer in the lineup to say the least. Weston Wilson has also been a huge contributor with 10 RBI's in last 3 games, including 2 clutch RBI's in 9th inning against the Citadel to lift the Tigers to a 5-4 victory Wednesday night. Chris Okey continues to swing a good bat and has brought his average up to .282. He also has 21 RBI's good for 2nd on the team behind only Seth Beer. Chase Pinder continues to produce out of the leadoff spot with a .357 average and team leading 21 runs scored this season. The offense seems to be hitting on all cylinders as the #22 ranked Eagles come to town.
It has been a little different story for the pitching staff as the starters struggled in Winston Salem last weekend. Coach Lee seems to be changing up the rotation a little for this weekend as Clate Schmidt is scheduled to start on Friday night followed by Charlie Barnes on Saturday. Alex Eubanks could still get the start Sunday but as of now it is still to be determined heading into the weekend. Clate Schmidt leads the starters with a 3-0 record and 3.15 ERA. Jake Higginbotham gave the Tigers a much needed quality start this week against the Citadel going 5.0 innings with zero earned runs, improving his record to 2-0. The bullpen has continued to be a strength this season, led by Pat Krall and Alex Bostic. Krall has pitched 15.2 innings with a 1.15 ERA and 20 strikeouts. Bostic has yet to give up a run in 9 innings this season. The bullpen has been a huge lift for the Tigers thus far.
Boston College comes into the series ranked #22 in the country after taking 2 out of 3 against #8 ranked NC State Wolfpack last weekend, bringing them to 12-3 (2-1 ACC) record on the season. Boston College pitching has been very strong so far this season with multiple pitchers that have yet to give up an earned run this season. The Eagles gave up a total of 3 runs in three games last weekend against a very good NC State team. The Eagles are led by starting pitchers Jacob Stevens, 2-0 with a 0.0 ERA in 22.2 inning pitched, and Mike King, 3-0 with 1.30 ERA in 27.2 innings pitched. Both very impressive numbers that will put the Tigers offense to the test this weekend. The Eagles offense has a team average of .289, led by Joe Cronin who has a .389 average and team high 19 RBI's. Mitch Bigras and Nick Sciortino are a couple other BC hitters to keep mind as both are hitting over .350.
Probable starting pitchers:
Friday- RHP Mike King (BC) vs. RHP Clate Schmidt (Clemson)
Saturday- LHP Jesse Adams (BC) vs. Charlie Barnes (Clemson)
Sunday- RHP Jacob Stevens (BC) vs. Still to be determined (Clemson)
This is another important series for the Tigers as they continue to pursue postseason aspirations. This could be the best team Boston College has brought to Doug Kingsmore stadium as a member of the ACC. The Tigers offense will have their hands full all weekend and will have to be patient at the plate to manufacture runs against maybe the best pitching staff they have faced all season. We will find out this weekend if the Tigers are up for the challenge.