|
Thexoach
2025-03-03 10:31:34
In the article I posted before this series began, I made mention of a couple of things. The first one was Cam Cannarella. I said he would own the series against South Carolina and he quietly did just that. The bunt single with 2 outs Friday night got the Tigers going in the bottom of the 1st inning and the Tigers didn't look back all weekend. I cant remember ( I am sure Tim Bourret would know) if there has ever been a series where one team didn't trail the whole weekend. This weekend the Tigers didn't trail once in any of the 3 games. Cannarella went 5 for 13 over the weekend with a double and 6 runs. He batted .348 against the Gamecocks and is quietly in my opinion building a resume for Player of the Year consideration. The second player I mentioned was Aiden Knaak. He looked in mid-season form in the scrimmage and the first 4 innings he was outstanding and I said don't be surprised if he was on his game he could go the distance. What I didn't have on my bingo card was Ethan Darden going 7 innings on Saturday. If the Tiger starting pitching can get that kind of performance and can stay healthy the bullpen can finish the game with no problem. I cant remember the last time a starting pitcher for any team went 7 innings and that is on any team, not just the Tigers. There are still some things that need to be worked out. Up until the top of the 9th inning when the Tigers finally pulled away, they were 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position. Darden pitched 7 scoreless innings allowing 2 walks, 6 strikeouts and retired 13 batters in a row and only threw 89 pitches. Talk about a Greg Maddox like performance. The only other glaring stat has to be to the delight of Tigers fans, Nathan Hall and Nolan Nawrocki were held hitless all weekend. It was no surprise that both players were rudely welcomed by Tiger fans even in Columbia. Aiden Knaak showed his displeasure with Nawrocki Friday night after he struck Nawrocki out, by staring him down and exchanging words before heading off to the Clemson dugout in the top of the 1st inning. I said in my article that both teams were on the opposite ends of the spectrum. Clemson is poised for Omaha and the College World Series and this weekend's results doesn't do anything to diminish that prediction. I am not sure at this moment about the Gamecocks. Obviously anything can happen and any team can get hot. The Gamecocks were undefeated coming into the series but after watching this weekend and seeing their conference schedule ahead of them, I am not sure they make the post season. There hasn't been much to celebrate for Tiger fans where the Gamecocks were concerned. Obviously the loss in football stings and when you look at the basketball results, that is definitely inexplicable so yes, Tiger fans are going to savor this past weekend's results and why not, this is a championship caliber team and I assure you anything other than raising that trophy in Omaha will be a disappointment. |
