Surging Clemson Baseball Team Takes Series at No. 11 Boston College

Overview: The Tigers played a double-headed on Friday and an early game on Saturday in the Massachusetts cold. The Eagles don’t have much of a history in baseball, but private schools have found clever ways around the onerous scholarship limit. As such, schools like Boston College and Wake Forest are enjoying historic success. Boston College entered the series at 12-9 in ACC play, good for second in the Atlantic Division. As such, this was a critical series for Clemson to make up ground.

Game 1: 9-7 Clemson win

Caden Grice had 3 hits including a home run and double and tallied 3 RBI. Cam Cannarella had two hits and two runs out of the leadoff spot. Starting pitcher Ethan Darden struggled through four inning giving up 5 runs, but the Clemson offense pulled the Tigers through.

Game 2: 3-1 Boston College win

Starting pitcher Austin Gordon went 6.2 innings allowing just 3 earned runs, but the Tigers only gathered 2 hits. Cam Cannarella collected his 18th stolen base of the season and scored the team’s lone run.

Game 3: 6-3 Clemson win

Caden Grice is having an incredible season. After a bit of a disappointing campaign last season and a slow start this season, he has become the star that fans hoped he would be. He pitched 8 innings surrendering just 2 earned runs and collecting a career-high 9 strikeouts. He also went 1-4 at the plate for 2 RBI. He ends the series hitting .312 with a team-high 44 RBI and a team-high 11 HR. He is now the clean-up hitter and is thriving. He is the only Tiger with more than 5 home runs. He also has a 3.50 ERA and 57 strikeouts over 43.2 innings pitched!

Left fielder Will Taylor seems to be getting healthy following a football-related knee injury. He leads the team with a .451 on-base percentage. He only has 2 home runs, but his .320 average will play just fine from the 3-hole even with minimal power.

What it means:

At 11-10, Clemson is now in 7th in the ACC. They’ve played one of the hardest schedules in the country so unlike the basketball team, which had a big win total, but a weak schedule, the baseball team is in the reverse position. Prior to taking two of three from No. 11 Boston College, Baseball America had Clemson as one of the first four out. Now, they’re likely on the right side of the bubble with a off-chance to host a regional if they stay hot and have a very strong finish.