CLEMSON, SC - The Erik Bakich era got off to a hot start, as the Tigers swept Binghamton in their season-opening series! The Tigers won 11-3 on Friday, stealing 11 bases, just one shy of the program record, and hitting 3 homers. Blake Wright hit two of them and reached base all 5 times with 4 base hits. It was his second career two-homer game. Former closer Ryan Ammons made his first career start and was outstanding, allowing just 3 hits and one run with 9 K's and no walks in 5 innings of work. Freshman catcher Jacob Jarrell made his first start with Cooper Ingle nursing an arm injury, and his first career hit was a homer. He was also fantastic behind the plate, blocking several wild pitches and preventing a run or two from scoring.
Saturday was a much different game. The Tigers won a pitchers' duel 3-2 after trailing 1-0 most of the game. They rallied to score 3 runs in the 8th and held on to win 3-2. On Sunday, the Tigers' bats woke up again in a 19-1 rout. Freshman center fielder Cam Cannarella was 4-5 with a triple, a walk and 3 RBI's. Benjamin Blackwell was 3-5 with 4 RBI's. Chad Fairey was 4-4, as 11 Tigers combined for 21 hits. Cooper Ingle made his second start behind the plate and hit the game's only homerun. The Tigers stole 17 bases in the series, which is third in the nation, and portends an exciting, aggressive brand of baseball from Bakich. Austin Gordon made his first career start on Saturday, Jay Dill made his first start on Sunday, and both were impressive. Former weekend starters Clayton, Hoffmann and Lindley all saw relief action, illustrating the depth of this pitching staff. Will Taylor, who is still easing back from his knee injury, had a pinch-hit double on Friday and a pinch-hit walk on Saturday. He made his first start at DH on Sunday, going 1-4 with a walk. The Tigers seem to be in good hands at center, though, with the freshman Cannarella, who is an excellent fielder as well and made a diving catch on Friday. The Tigers were excellent defensively, posting 6 double plays with two error-free games, although they did have 2 errors on Sunday. It was good to see old Jack Leggett back in the Clemson dugout this weekend! Bakich added Leggett to the staff in an advisory capacity, and hopefully the two of them together again will bring back that magic from the early Leggett era.
The Tigers host Charlotte on Tuesday. Post-game interviews are below!
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