In just the first four games of the season, Robert Jolly is emerging as one of Clemson’s team leaders and setting examples for the younger ones.

The senior went 2-for-2 with one RBI and two runs scored in 11th-ranked Clemson’s 12-4 victory over Furman Tuesday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

As one of the most versatile players on the team, Jolly has been succeeding in whatever role he is placed in. Whether it be as a designated hitter or starter in the outfield, he has gotten the job done.

Since the start of the 2018 season last Friday, Jolly is tied with Patrick Cromwell for the highest team batting average, hitting .500 as of right now. He is 5-for-10 with a double and three RBIs. Although it took Jolly a few at-bats to get into the swing of things, he has already made valuable contributions to the wins the Tigers have had this season.

“I just try to stay confident either way,” the senior said after Tuesday’s game. “I know every single at-bat counts. I started off kind of rough in the first three at-bats of the season but kept the confidence.

“Knowing that my teammates are going to pick me up either way is just something that I’ve tried to build on and being there for my teammates and it helps me calm down and see the ball well. Just really get relaxed and comfortable in the box and it really kind of builds into having good at-bats and staying confident. “

Tuesday afternoon Jolly was hitting in the No. 5 hole, behind Cromwell and Chris Williams, who went a combined 5-for-8 against Furman. Jolly knew with those two in front of him he would get plenty of opportunities to knock them in.

“I know that whenever a situation comes up, I’m just trying to do my job and help the team win,” he said. “I’m just trying to see the pitches well and have good, quality at-bats.

“I’m behind two really, really good hitters so they’re going to be on base for me a lot. I’m just trying to stay confident and fill that role the best I can.”

The offense was alive and powerful for the Tigers Tuesday with the team getting a combined 13 hits and scoring 12 runs. Jolly says the momentum and energy the contagious hitting brings is extremely beneficial in creating confidence for the entire team.

“I think it just builds confidence as a whole,” he said. “We have some younger guys in there, who got their first experience in there. It kind of just builds the camaraderie of the team.

“Everybody is so confident in each other and it keeps snowballing in that direction and that’s what we’re looking for going into a couple of big weekends here.”

As the Tigers now prepare for their weekend series with a very solid Dallas Baptist team at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Jolly is very aware of the test that lies ahead for the Tigers and how important it will be to succeed this weekend.

“I just think we all know it will be our first real test of the season,” he said, “and it’s going to be a big weekend for us to really prove to people how good we really are.

“I think we are going to take it as a challenge and more of a stepping stone in the right direction and really just fight this weekend and show people that we can compete with the best and that’s what Dallas Baptist is.”