Clemson Sweeps Liberty for 15th Straight Win

Cam Cannarella (10)

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the Liberty Flames in the final game of a two-game midweek series. Clemson got off to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first and never looked back, winning this game 8-2. Josh Paino's three-run bomb in the first was the difference-maker in this one for the Tigers. Clemson improves to 17-1 on the season, winning their 15th game in a row, while Liberty falls to 11-6. Chayce Kieck picked up the win for Clemson, his second of the season. Caleb Lingenfelter picked up the loss for Liberty after allowing three runs in two innings of work. 

Clemson Strikes First

The Tigers got off to a hot start in the bottom of the first inning after Clemson starter Noah Samol's shutdown top of the first. The bottom half of the first frame started with a Dominic Listi hit by pitch and a Jarren Purify single to extend his hitting streak to 11 games. Cam Cannarella stepped up to the dish and grounded into a fielder's choice to bring up the hot Josh Paino with runners on first and third with one out. The California native did not disappoint, lacing a home run into the left-center field stands to give Clemson a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the second inning. 

Potts Gets Out of Jam in Third

After getting off to a strong start in the first inning, the Tigers bats went quiet until a one-out Jarren Purify walk got the Clemson offense going. Cannarella followed up Purify with a walk of his own to bring up Josh Paino, who had already hit a three-run blast in the first inning. Paino was unable to repeat his home run but reached base after being hit by a pitch to bring up Jack Crighton. The Michigan native couldn't come through as his ground ball up the middle was gloved and turned into a double play to get Jake Potts out of the jam. 

Clemson Extends Lead in Fourth

The Tigers were able to get back on the board with a one-run fourth inning to give themselves a 4-0 lead heading into the fifth. The inning started with a walk to Tryston McCladdie, who then advanced to second base on a passed ball to bring up Clemson's designated hitter, Tristan Bissetta. The South Carolina native came through for the Tigers, smacking a double off the right-center field wall to score McCladdie and give Clemson a four-run lead. Andrew Ciufo and Dominic Listi failed to do anything with Bissetta on second to keep the score at 4-0. 

Liberty Cuts Into Deficit in Fifth

The Flames were able to get one run back in the top of the fifth inning after an error scored Michael Robertson. The rally started with a walk to Robertson and a single by Cal Early to bring up Tanner Marsh. The Liberty shortstop came through for the Flames with an infield single hit to Jarren Purify. The Tigers' second baseman came up with the ball but could not make a clean throw to Luke Gaffney, which resulted in Michael Robertson scoring from third and cutting the Clemson lead to 4-1. 

Gaffney and Co. Extend the Lead

After a strong top half of the sixth inning, the Clemson bats came alive to extend their lead to five. Luke Gaffney hit his third home run of the season and second of this midweek series as the Tigers catcher sent a ball into the left-field seats to give Clemson a four-run lead. But the Tigers weren't done there as Tristan Bissetta's walk, and Andrew Ciufo's double set Clemson up with another chance to score. Clemson's leadoff hitter, Dominic Listi, came through, lacing a base hit through the hole between second and first base. The Tigers were unable to do anything else that inning after Cannarella and Paino got out. 

Clemson Blows it Open in the Eighth

The Tigers were able to put out the Flames and secure their 15th straight win with a two-run eighth frame. The inning started with a walk to Tristan Bissetta, a hit by pitch to Andrew Ciufo, and a walk to Dominic Listi, which led to Trey Cooper being replaced by Cooper Harrington. Harrington allowed a walk to Jarren Purify and a sac fly to Cam Cannarella to give Clemson an 8-1 lead. Harrington was able to limit further damage by striking out Josh Paino and Jacob Jarrell to end the inning. Liberty's catcher Tucker Moore put one into the left field seats in the top of the ninth, which cut the Clemson to 6, giving the Tigers an 8-2 victory and a sweep over the Flames. 

Takeaways

• Josh Paino - The Tigers' third baseman went 7-14 with four RBIs during last weekend's series against Davidson and continued his strong play in tonight's game. Paino, a transfer from California Baptist, sent a rocket into the left-center field seats to put the Tigers up 3-0 early. He would also reach base twice more with a hit by pitch and a single to add to his strong night. The California native has been a terrific transfer for Erik Bakich and the Tigers, as his defense at third base is just as strong as his bat. 

• Noah Samol - The redshirt Sophomore missed all of last season with an injury after transferring from Georgia Tech. This was Samol's first start of his career, and although he only went one inning, it was encouraging to see him back on the bump. After a challenging 2023 season with the Yellow Jackets, Samol threw a shutout first inning in his first game as a Clemson Tiger.

• Up Next: Clemson faces Notre Dame for a three-game set against the Fighting Irish starting on Friday, March 14, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.