Clemson Baseball Preview - Tigers Set To Face Furman At Fluor Field

Clemson Tigers (8-3) at Furman Paladins (2-7) at Fluor Field

When - Tuesday 6pm

TV - SoCon Digital Network

Radio - WCCP The Roar, Tune In Radio App via WCCP, and Clemson Tigers Radio Network

After a tough weekend against in-state rival South Carolina that saw the starting pitching struggle in all three games, it looks as if the rotation is about to see a shake up. With Keyshawn Askew and Mat Clark moved into the weekend rotation for UNC this weekend, the Tigers are set to send Jackson Lindley to the hill Tuesday against Furman, as they look to get back on track against the Paladins, losers of four straight.

Lindley, a 6’ 4” 215 pound right handed freshman will be making his first career, as Monte Lee looks to shore up his starting pitching. In two appearances, he has allowed a hit and no earned runs, along with 3 strikeouts and a walk in 2 innings pitched, as he will be the fourth freshman hurler to get a start in the young season. He was charged with 2 unearned runs in his outing against VMI, but in the small sample size, he looks to be a guy who pounds the strike zone with his 92-93 mph fastball, mixing in an 11-5 curve, along with having developed a change up that he can get guys out with. Lindley has really good stuff, but as is the case with many freshman pitchers, we will have to see if he has the command to get through the batting order multiple times.

Furman will send redshirt sophomore John Michael Bertrand to the mound. The lefty has yet to record a decision and comes in with a 5.87 ERA. Last Wednesday in a 4-3 loss to UNC Asheville, Bertrand allowed 3 runs on 6 hits in 6 innings. Opponents are hitting .313 against him, and he has walked 5 and struck out 2 in 7.2 innings.

The Paladins are hitting .269 as a team and are averaging a homerun per game, but they have also struck out 87 times. Senior 1B John Michael Boswell leads the way at the plate batting .353 with 2 long balls and 9 RBI, but he has not had much help. Two of their biggest run producers, senior 3B Jake Crawford and senior LF Jabari Richards Crawford are both out with injury.

The Tigers come in hitting .267 as a team as they saw the bats struggle much of the time in 2 of the 3 games against SC. Gamecock pitchers pounded the strike zone in the Friday and Sunday games, getting Tiger hitters behind in the count early and often, and that isn’t a spot where they have fared very well through the first three weeks. Hopefully we start to see a more aggressive approach at the plate with some guys.

At 2-7 and mired in a four-game losing streak, Furman would love nothing more than to knock off the Tigers in an effort to right the ship. Clemson must come in having put the weekend behind them. Lindley needs to throw strikes, and let his defense make plays behind him. Hitters need to be more aggressive at the plate and try to stay out of pitchers counts. With the red hot Tar Heels looming in the distance, this is one Clemson needs to get. The Tigers have been extremely successful in midweek games under Monte Lee, and hopefully that is a trend we see continue Tuesday night.