Baseball
NO.4 CLEMSON SHUTS OUT BC 10-0 IN 8 INNINGS FOR SWEEP TO END REGULAR SEASON
- 2024-05-22 12:41:40
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Freshman and All-ACC First-Teamer Aidan Knaak delivered another gem on the mound for the Tigers on Saturday with 12 K's and no walks, as the Tigers posted their 3rd shutout to finish the regular season with a sweep of Boston College, winning 10-0 in 8 innings. Blake Wright reached base 4 times with a HR, single, 2 walks and a sac fly RBI on Senior Day. He would have been the winning run in the 8th inning, but Bakich replaced him with a pinch runner in order to give him a well-deserved curtain call and ovation from the Doug Kingsmore fans.
The Defending ACC Champs had already clinched the Atlantic Division title and No.2 seed in next week's ACC Tournament in Charlotte. They got a great draw in the controversial pool format this year because Wake Forest--which has swept the Tigers in each of the last two seasons--did not land in their pool. The Tigers will not have to face the Deacs unless it's in the ACC Championship on Sunday, and that means they won't have to face ACC Pitcher of the Year Chase Burns--perhaps the best pitcher in the country--who struck out a career-high 16 Tigers last week in Winston Salem. The Tigers will play Miami on Thursday and Louisville on Friday in pool play. The Tigers took 2 out of 3 on the road at each school this season, including their first shutout at Miami.
Bakich told me after the game that Knaak, the Tigers' best pitcher and Sunday starter all season, will likely be moved up in the rotation as necessary. The BC series concluded on a Saturday, that will make the move easier. I also asked Bakich about Will Taylor's status, and he said that he will have the cast off his wrist soon and should be available for the Super Regional--maybe even the Regional.
My post-game interviews are below!
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