Clemson Baseball Takes Game One Against The Citadel in Midweek Series

Cam Cannarella went 5-for-5 vs. The Citadel. (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The No. 4 Clemson Tigers continued their strong start to the 2025 season, defeating The Citadel Bulldogs 6-4 in the first game of a two-game midweek series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Head coach Erik Bakich’s squad, now 20-2 on the year, is coming off a weekend ACC series win over Notre Dame. The visiting Bulldogs, who entered the night at 11-9, put up a fight, but Clemson’s offense and bullpen held strong to secure the win.

How It Happened

Clemson wasted no time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first, Cam Cannarella drove in Dominic Listi with an RBI single to give the Tigers an early 1-0 lead. Listi had set the table with a leadoff double, and Cannarella delivered to continue his hot streak at the plate.

Starting pitcher Brandon Bennett got through the first two innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. However, The Citadel capitalized on a Clemson miscue in the top of the third. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk, a bunt from Phillips Daniels led to a throwing error, allowing the Bulldogs to plate two runs. A single down the right-field line by Travis Elliott extended the lead to 2-1 before Clemson could escape the inning.

The Tigers responded immediately in the bottom half. Listi reached on a walk, and Cannarella followed with another hit. Josh Paino brought in Listi with a sacrifice fly to even the game at 2-2. Later in the inning, a defensive miscue by The Citadel allowed Cannarella to score, giving Clemson a 3-2 advantage.

In the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs tied the game again as Lane Tobin drove in a run with an RBI single. The Tigers turned to Nathan Dvorsky in relief, who got out of the inning with a key strikeout.

Clemson regained control in the bottom of the fifth when Josh Paino launched a two-run homer to left-center, scoring Cannarella and putting the Tigers ahead 5-3.

The Citadel kept things close, trimming the lead to 5-4 in the top of the sixth with an RBI double from Noah Cadiz. From there, the Tigers’ bullpen took over. Luke Brown tossed a scoreless seventh inning, while Lucas Mahlstedt came in and dominated the eighth with a 1-2-3 frame, striking out two.

Clemson added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Jarren Purify delivered an RBI single to score Andrew Ciufo, making it 6-4.

Mahlstedt returned for the ninth, slamming the door on The Citadel with one strikeout and a game-ending groundout to first base.

Cannarella Shines Again

Junior outfielder Cam Cannarella was the star of the night, finishing 5-for-5 with two runs scored. His bat continues to be a major factor in the Tigers’ offensive success.

Up Next

Clemson and The Citadel will square off again Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

With their 20th win of the season secured, the Tigers will look to sweep the midweek series before heading back into ACC play against Wake Forest.