CLEMSON — Clemson suffered its fourth loss of the season Tuesday in a 9-5 defeat to USC Upstate. Koby Kropf’s grand slam in the eighth inning broke a 5-5 tie and lifted the Spartans to victory over No. 2 Clemson at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Despite hitting four home runs, the Tigers could not stop the Spartans, who finished the game with nine hits and four home runs of their own.

USC Upstate’s Noah Sullivan got the scoring started with the first solo home run of the night down the leftfield line in the second inning. Redshirt freshman Nolan Nawrocki immediately responded for Clemson with a homer of his own to even the score 1-1. 

Sophomore catcher Jacob Jarrell gave Clemson its first and only lead, 2-1, in the third, launching his seventh career home run into the leftfield stands. Upstate evened the score again, as Sullivan hit the fourth solo home run and his second of the evening off of starting pitcher Billy Barlow.

Another USC Upstate homer knocked three runners in for a 5-2 lead over Clemson in the sixth. The Tigers struggled to find an immediate response, as Clemson was collectively 3-for-21 from the plate entering the seventh inning.

Then, Cam Cannarella (2-4) hit a timely homer to send Jarren Purify home and add Clemson’s third and fourth runs in the bottom of the seventh. The next batter, Jimmy Obertop, (1-3) hit yet another home run to tie the game 5-5. 

However, Upstate loaded its bases with a walk, double, and single in the top of the eighth inning. A grand slam gave the Spartans a four-run lead and eventually the victory.

Clemson used five different pitchers in the loss. Barlow started on the mound for the Tigers and gave up four runs off of five hits. He struck out five before being relieved by Reed Garris in the fifth.

Garris gave up one run on one hit in one inning. The Tigers brought in freshman Justin LeGuernic in the seventh and Rob Hughes and Joe Allen in the eighth.

Barlow suffered his second loss of the season, as his record fell to 5-2 on the mound.

INJURY UPDATE

Clemson shortstop Andrew Ciufo did not play Tuesday night due to a knee injury. Ahead of the matchup, Clemson head Coach Erik Bakich shared that Ciufo tweaked his knee on Sunday. After the game Bakich said Ciufo will be out indefinitely.

Jacob Hinderleider replaced him at shortstop on Tuesday.

UP NEXT

The Tigers look to start a new winning streak Friday as they take on the NC State Wolfpack. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!