Clemson used 11 hits and scored 11 runs in the fourth and fifth innings Sunday to take Game 3 of its weekend series with Maine.

The Tigers won their second straight game over the Black Bears to take the series as Chase Pinder hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning and freshman Seth Beer launched a grand slam in the fifth for a 19-2 victory at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Clemson had 31 runs in first three games under new head coach Monte Lee, the most for a Tigers’ coach in his first three games of career since 1945. Clemson finished the game with 22 hits overall after having 11 combined hits from Games 1 and 2. The 22 hits tied last year’s season-high against Furman on May 12.

After Maine grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first, Pinder, who had two hits and four RBIs, led off the bottom frame with a single and Eli White followed with one of his own. Pinder later scored off of a wild pitch to tie the game, and a single RBI by Chris Williams sent White home for the 2-1 lead.

Freshman starting pitcher Jake Higginbotham led Clemson on the mound as he held Maine scoreless in the second, third and fourth innings. Higginbotham got the win in his first career start after throwing 48 strikes in 84 pitches including three strikeouts before he was relieved at the top of the sixth inning.

“It all starts on the mound as we know. Jake Higginbotham in his first start he got five innings and threw the ball very very well. It was great to get so many guys in the ball game after him,” head coach Monte Lee said. “I thought Higginbothom did an excellent job of staying in the strike zone and forcing them to swing the bat.”

The Tigers (2-1) extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Pinder hit Clemson’s first home run of the season. The three-run homer scored both K.J. Bryant and Adam Renwick to give Clemson a 5-1 lead over the Black Bears. The Tigers saw continued success at the plate when White hit a double followed by back-to-back singles from Rohlman and Chris Okey to score White.

A double play ended the inning, but Clemson left the bottom of the fourth with a 6-1 lead.

“Hitting is contagious. I thought you could really see our guys relax once Pinder hit the three-run homer. The guys were just really locked in,” Lee said. 

The Black Bears (1-2) scored their next run in the top of the fifth, but Clemson escaped the inning with impressive defensive plays, including a run down out by Okey to putout Maine’s Caleb Kerbs at third, who was trying to score after Jeremy Pena’s fly ball to right field.

Clemson put the game away in the bottom of the fifth inning with a successful string of at-bats that included a grand slam by freshman Seth Beer, who also had two hits and four RBIs in the win. Consecutive singles by Williams, Westin Wilson and Bryant loaded the bases with no outs and a hit by Renwick scored Williams.

Pinder reached first on a fielder’s choice, and stole second while White drew a walk to load the bases. Wilson then scored off of a fielder’s choice, and Bryant advanced home off of a ground out by Rohlman. Okey stepped up to draw a walk to set Beer up for his grand slam to extend Clemson’s lead to 13-2.

It was the true freshman’s first home run in his young Clemson career.

“I feel like today I was comfortable. When I was coming up to the plate, it felt just like I was playing the game of baseball, and the monkey was off my back from getting the first hit yesterday,” Beer said. “It feels great.”

Clemson will host James Madison at 4 p.m. next Friday in the first of a three-game series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

If you haven’t already order your copy today of Guts & Glory – Tales of Clemson’s Historic 2015 Football Season to help you celebrate and remember this special season.