Clemson Tigers Baseball: No. 4 Tigers Extend Winning Streak Against Liberty Flames

Luke Gaffney of the Clemson Tigers (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The No. 4 Clemson Tigers baseball team entered today's matchup riding a 13-game winning streak, boasting a 15-1 record. Their latest challenge came in the form of the Liberty Flames (11-4) in the first of a two-game midweek series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Freshman pitcher Brandon Bennett took the mound for the Tigers, facing off against Liberty’s Josh Swink.

Early Innings: A Back-and-Forth Battle

The game started with a quick first inning, as Bennett and the Tigers retired Liberty in order. However, Liberty’s Josh Swink was equally dominant, striking out Dominic Listi on three pitches before retiring the side on just nine pitches.

In the top of the second inning, Liberty struck first. After Bennett notched his first strikeout of the game against Nick Barone, Camden Troyer launched a towering 410-foot home run to right field, giving Liberty a 1-0 lead. Bennett’s struggles continued as he issued a walk to Landon Scilley, who then advanced to second on a groundout. With two outs, Clemson’s head coach Erik Bakich made the decision to pull Bennett in favor of B.J. Bailey. The freshman pitcher’s final line stood at 1.2 innings, one hit, one earned run, and one walk. Bailey managed to stop the damage, inducing a groundout to third to end the inning.

Clemson’s bats came alive in the bottom of the second. Jack Crighton got the rally started with a one-out double to the left-field wall, putting the Tigers in scoring position. With two outs, Luke Gaffney stepped up and initially appeared to have hit an RBI double off the top of the wall. After an official review, the call was overturned to a two-run home run, giving Clemson a 2-1 lead. Moments later, Jay Dillard worked a walk, setting the stage for Andrew Ciufo, who crushed a two-run homer to right-center, extending the Tigers’ lead to 4-1.

Clemson Continues to Apply Pressure

In the top of the third, Bailey ran into early trouble, issuing back-to-back walks to Florida transfer Michael Robertson and Riley DeCandido. However, he quickly regained control and retired the next three batters to escape the jam unscathed.

The bottom half of the inning saw Clemson add to its lead. Jarren Purify extended his hot streak with a single to left-center, then advancing to second on a failed pickoff attempt. After Swink issued a walk to Cam Cannarella, Liberty made a pitching change, bringing in Josh McCusker. Swink’s final stat line showed 2.0 innings pitched, allowing four earned runs, on four hits and two walks, with one strikeout. McCusker initially seemed poised to stop the Tigers' momentum, inducing a double play. However, an error by Liberty catcher Tucker Moore allowed Crighton to reach first on a strikeout, scoring Cannarella and making it 5-1. A wild pitch followed, sending Crighton to third before the inning ended with three Tigers stranded on base.

Tigers Maintain Control

Jumping to the bottom of the fourth, Clemson added another insurance run. Purify singled to left with two outs, advancing to second on a balk. Cannarella followed with an RBI single to center, pushing the Tigers’ lead to 6-1.

The scoring quieted for both teams until Liberty managed to scratch across a run in the top of the sixth, cutting the deficit to 6-2. Following a strong outing from Bailey, who pitched 4.0 innings allowing just two hits, one run, and three walks while striking out four, Clemson turned to Joe Allen out of the bullpen.

In the bottom of the sixth, Liberty made another pitching change, bringing in Spencer Williams. McCusker had delivered a solid relief appearance for the Flames, going 3.0 innings with two hits, one run, and four strikeouts. Williams continued the trend, striking out three Tigers in the inning while issuing only one walk to Ciufo.

Late Innings: Liberty Tries to Rally

In the top of the seventh, Liberty’s Riley DeCandido singled to left-center, putting a leadoff runner on for the Flames. However, Joe Allen managed to work through the inning without further damage, sending the Tigers back to the plate.

The bottom of the seventh saw Cam Cannarella lead off with a walk, but Clemson couldn’t capitalize, leaving the score at 6-2 heading into the eighth inning.

The top of the eighth brought some trouble for Clemson. Camden Troyer crushed a one-out triple off the center-field wall, setting up Liberty with a prime scoring opportunity. Allen then issued a walk to Scilley, putting runners on the corners with one out. Seeing enough, Bakich went to the bullpen, calling on Lucas Mahlstedt. Allen finished his outing with 1.2 innings pitched, allowing two hits and one walk.

Liberty’s Cal Early came through with an RBI single, scoring Troyer and trimming Clemson’s lead to 6-3. Mahlstedt then hit Tucker Moore with a pitch, loading the bases with one out. Michael Robertson followed by reaching on a fielder’s choice, scoring Scilley. Initially, it appeared to be an inning-ending double play, but after review, it was determined that Gaffney did not maintain possession of the ball long enough before dropping it.

Despite the controversial call, Clemson still led 6-4. Mahlstedt responded by striking out Simmons, closing the top half of the inning and keeping Clemson ahead. The Tigers wouldn't do anything offensively in the bottom of the eighth, and the score would stand, 6-4.

Final Conclusion: Tigers Extend Winning Streak

Mahlstedt would close the game out, recording his fifth save as the Clemson Tigers extend their winning streak to 14, improving to 16-1. This victory ties for the 10th longest winning streak in Clemson baseball history. B.J. Bailey (2-0) earned the win, and Liberty's Josh Swink (2-2) is credited with the loss. The Tigers will be back tomorrow against Liberty to finish the series. Game time is set for 4 p.m. EST and can be viewed on ACCNX.