Clemson blew a 10-run lead over the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, but somehow found a way to beat Notre Dame Sunday at Frank Eck Stadium in South Bend, Ind.
The Tigers scored two runs on a two-run error thanks to Irish shortstop Jack Penney, whose errant throw allowed Devin Parks and Jarren Purify to come home for the go-ahead runs in the top of the 11th inning.
Purify’s run turned out to be the game-winner, as No. 2 Clemson hung on for a 13-12 win.
Jacob Jarrell and Jimmy Obertop each hit home runs, while pitcher Aidan Knaak was almost unhittable as the Tigers built an 11-1 lead through six and a half innings. At one point, they were two outs from winning the game on the 10-run mercy rule.
The win improves the Tigers to 28-3 overall, tying the program’s best start through 31 games since 2002. The win also completed the sweep of Notre Dame for Clemson, who improved to 10-2 in the ACC.
As for Knaak, he tied a career best with seven innings of work, and for the second straight week was very efficient in doing so. The righty allowed two runs (both unearned) struck out nine, gave up two hits and walked none.
Knaak, who threw 81 pitches, did not give up his first hit until the seventh inning. He gave up two hits in seven scoreless innings at Miami last week. He set a personal best with 10 strikeouts in that performance, while throwing just 98 pitches.
The Irish (14-15, 2-13 ACC) got their first run in the bottom of the fourth. After two hit-by-pitches and an error loaded the bases, they finally drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to leftfield by Penney.
Clemson, who has now won six straight, opened the scoring with six runs in the top of the fourth inning. Nolan Nawrocki doubled to left centerfield to plate two runs and then Jarrell smacked a three-run shot to leftfield.
The Tigers scored six runs on four hits and used two Notre Dame errors to take a 6-0 lead. The Irish finished the game with five errors.
Clemson extended its lead to 9-1 with three more runs in the fifth inning. A Jacob Hinderleider double down the left field line plated two of those runs, while Purify lined out to right with one out and the bases load to score Hinderleider.
Obertop blasted a 3-2 pitch to leftfield for a solo home run in the sixth, then Clemson got an RBI single from Jarrell in the top of the seventh inning to take an 11-1 lead.
Notre Dame prevented the 10-run mercy rule from happening by finally getting two hits on Knaak in the bottom of the seventh inning, including an RBI single to rightfield by Connor Hincks. The Irish later added four more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, all charged to reliever Rob Hughes.
The Irish then plated five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to force extra innings. They scored the tying run with two outs on a two-strike wild pitch, as the runner came all the way from second base to tie the game.
The Tigers finished the afternoon with 13 hits overall, including a 3-for-5 day from Hinderleider, who had two doubles to go with two RBIs. Alden Mathes went 2-for-5 at the plate, while Purify was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Jarrell finished his day with two hits and four RBIs and scored once.
UP NEXT
Clemson returns home Tuesday to begin an eight-game homestand at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.
—photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications
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