Clemson Tigers Baseball: Clemson Hosts VCU and NC A&T in the Clemson Baseball Invitational
- Charles Mays
- Feb 20
- 3 min read
Clemson Baseball Invitational
The Clemson Tigers return to action this weekend in the Clemson Baseball Invitational, marking their first home game of the season. Originally, the Tigers were scheduled to face Presbyterian College on Wednesday, February 19, but inclement weather postponed the matchup. Clemson enters the weekend with a 2-1 record, securing wins over Oklahoma State and Arizona before falling to Ole Miss in the Shriners Children's College Showdown.
This weekend, the Tigers will compete in four games over three days, facing VCU and NC A&T. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from each matchup.
VCU Scouting Report
The VCU Rams enter the tournament with a 1-3 record, coming off a 6-3 loss to Longwood. Last season, Virginia Commonwealth University posted a 38-23 overall record and went 15-8 in Atlantic 10 play, capturing the A-10 conference title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament, where they were eliminated in the CWS Regionals by East Carolina.
Head Coach Sean Thompson is in his first season at the helm after previously serving as VCU’s pitching coach. Under his guidance, the Rams boasted the best ERA in the Atlantic 10 last season and produced two MLB draft picks, Brian Curley and Christian Gordon.
VCU is led by Freshman Jacob Lee, a 6'2 catcher from Chesterfield, Virginia, who is off to a hot start. In high school, Lee posted a .551 batting average with eight home runs, earning first-team all-metro and all-state catcher honors in 2024. His transition to college ball has been seamless, as he boasts a .429 batting average through four games. Clemson’s pitching staff will need to contain Lee to secure a win over the Rams.
Starting Pitching Matchups vs. VCU
Friday, February 21, at 4:00 PM - Cade Dressler will likely start for VCU after pitching last Friday at Charleston. Aidan Knaak takes the mound for Clemson, aiming to rebound from a shaky outing against Oklahoma State.
Saturday, February 22, at 4:00 PM - Brian Yetter gets the call for VCU, looking to improve upon his 2.1-inning performance last weekend. Clemson will likely turn to a freshman pitcher or experienced arm like Joe Allen, as Ethan Darden (noon game) and Justin LeGuernic (Sunday) are already scheduled.
North Carolina A&T Scouting Report
The NC A&T Aggies come into the Clemson Baseball Invitational with a 2-0 record, having dominated Delaware State in both matchups. Last season, the Aggies finished 25-28 overall and 9-17 in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), missing the NCAA Tournament.
Head Coach Ben Hall is in his 11th season, with one CWS Regional appearance. Hall is a Clemson baseball alum (2005-2006), where he hit .266 across 78 games. Before leading NC A&T, he was an assistant coach at Wingate and Winthrop.
The Aggies' key player is Redshirt Freshman JT Taylor, a 6'0 infielder from Salisbury, North Carolina. Taylor earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors after a strong start, hitting .571 (4-for-7) with three triples, a double, two walks, and five RBIs in two games. If Clemson wants to win, they must neutralize Taylor’s speed and offensive impact.
Starting Pitching Matchups vs. NC A&T
Saturday, February 22, at 12:00 PM - Angel Ortiz will likely start for the Aggies after pitching last Friday. Ethan Darden gets the nod for Clemson, looking to replicate his strong performance from last week.
Sunday, February 23, at 2:00 PM - Mekai Griffin will make his season debut for NC A&T, while Justin LeGuernic takes the mound for Clemson, hoping to bounce back from a rough start against Ole Miss.
Stay tuned as the Clemson Tigers look to make a statement in their home debut at the Clemson Baseball Invitational! All games can be seen on ACCNX, and heard on the Clemson Athletic Network.
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