Clemson Takes on Davidson Looking to Continue Hot Start

Jarren Purify looks on as he runs to first base. (Photo By: Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The Clemson Tigers return to action this weekend after taking down USC Upstate and Presbyterian during the week. Clemson will face off against Davidson in a three-game set this weekend as the Tigers look to continue their hot start to the young season. Clemson comes into this series sporting a 12-1 record, while Davidson enters with a 4-7 record, most recently losing to South Carolina on Tuesday night. Friday's matchup will be held at 4:00 PM, Saturday's game will be played at 3:00 PM, and Sunday afternoon's game will occur at 2:00 PM.

Davidson Scouting Report

The Davidson Wildcats have struggled coming into this series as they look to get going against the Clemson Tigers this weekend. Last season, Davidson finished with a 24-28 overall record and a 10-14 record within Atlantic 10 play. The Wildcats were unable to make the NCAA tournament with this record. Head Coach Rucker Taylor has been with the Wildcats since 2019 and has compiled a career record of 166-114. The Alabama native has helped turn Davidson into a winning ball club, as five of his six seasons in charge have ended with winning records. Although they haven't made an NCAA tournament appearance under Taylor, he has made the Wildcats into a respectable college baseball team.

Davidson is led by Eli Putnam, who had a breakout campaign last season, earning Atlantic 10 First Team honors. The Maryland native led the A-10 with 16 home runs and a .679 slugging percentage while finishing second with a 1.135 OPS. Putnam led the Wildcats with a .352 batting average and 16 doubles while pacing the team with 21 multi-hit games. The redshirt junior has a career .314 batting average, .415 on-base percentage, .564 slugging percentage, and .979 OPS, showcasing his importance to this Davidson offense.

The Wildcats also get offensive production from Michael O'Shaughnessy. The junior had a strong season last year, tallying a .315 batting average and .451 on-base percentage while hitting eight home runs and seven doubles in 37 games played. O'Shaughnessy hasn't been as effective this season, with just a .273 batting average and two home runs in 11 games played so far. Although the New York native has struggled this season, he has still had a very successful collegiate career, with a .305 batting average, .442 on-base percentage, .525 slugging percentage, and a .967 OPS. Clemson's pitching staff must carefully navigate Putnam and O'Shaughnessy to win this weekend's series against the Wildcats.

Starting Pitching Matchup

Friday, March 7 at 4:00 PM - Wilson Perkins is expected to get the nod for Davidson, hoping to bounce back from his start against Lafayette, while Clemson's ace Aidan Knaak will get the start.

Saturday, March 8 at 3:00 PM - For Rucker Taylor's squad, Isaac Fix is expected to be on the bump, while Ethan Darden will get the nod from Erik Bakich, coming off one of the best starts of his career.

Sunday, March 9 at 2:00 PM - Matt Weber will close out the series for the Wildcats, while Justin LeGuernic will pitch for the Tigers, coming off a solid start against the Gamecocks.