CLEMSON — The 10th-ranked Clemson Tigers defeated Kansas State at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Wednesday night, 8-3. Two Tigers hit home runs in the win over the Wildcats, one of those from Alden Mathes who went 2-for-3 on the night. 

After a scoreless first inning, Mathes got Clemson started with a single to right field. Jimmy Obertop walked, bringing up Andrew Ciufo, who moved the runners with a sac bunt. Nolan Nawrocki hit a three-run bomb to left center, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the second. 

In the third, the Tigers added two runs to their lead. Will Taylor hit a standup triple and scored on a wild pitch thrown above the backstop. Mathes hit a no-doubt solo home run over the Cajun Café.

The Wildcats got on the board in the fifth with a single up the middle. The runner advanced to second on a wild pitch and third on a throwing error by Obertop. The runner scored on a groundout to the shortstop.

Kansas State scored again in the sixth after the first two batters each hit singles, putting runners on first and third. The run scored on a sac fly to right field. 

Clemson gained insurance in the eighth after scoring three runs. Obertop started off the inning with a single to left field. Ciufo reached on a fielder’s choice, putting runners on first and second. Nawrocki singled to left and loaded the bases. Jacob Hinderleider walked, allowing Obertop to score. Cam Cannarella grounded out to the shortstop, advancing the runners, with Nawrocki scoring. The third run scored off a wild pitch from the Wildcats. 

Billy Barlow threw five innings, including four scoreless, with five strikeouts. Barlow gave up six hits but only allowed one run to score. Lucas Mahlstedt came in to relieve, throwing three innings. He gave up two hits and only allowed one run to score. 

UP NEXT

Clemson will be back at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday to host Game 1 of a three-game series against UNC Greensboro.