CHARLOTTE- Playing a midweek game against Charlotte at Truist Field could prove to be very beneficial for Clemson in a couple of weeks when the ACC Tournament starts.

The second-ranked Tigers put together a four-run ninth inning rally on Tuesday night, overcoming a two-run deficit to beat the 49ers 14-12.

While the two teams combined to hit three home runs, there were also multiple balls hit off the wall, and head coach Erik Bakich thinks there could a lot of runs scored once the tournament starts on May 21.

“It’s an offensive park with the wind blowing out,” Bakich said after Tuesday’s win.

“Playing here and getting some experience in this park. Just kind of seeing how it plays, it plays small. Going to be a lot of offensive fireworks, I’m guessing, in the ACC Tournament.”

Bakich is expecting the conditions to be similar when the Tigers return to Charlotte to defend its ACC crown.

“It’s huge, because we’ll probably see similar weather, similar wind,” Bakich said. “The playing surface is immaculate. I’ve never seen grass like this.”

Clemson won the ACC Tournament that was held in Durham a season ago. The last time it was held in Charlotte was in 2022, Monte Lee’s last season with the program.

Getting an early look at how the venue plays also gave Bakich’s outfielders a shot at getting more familiar with how balls play off the walls, something his team struggled with at times in the win over Charlotte.

“The outfield walls have some uniqueness to them, the way there are some bounces and edges,” Bakich said. “We had some trouble playing the wall, getting the ball in for a tandem relay. So, that is good to know coming out here in a couple of weeks how this ballpark plays. And just knowing when it’s windy like this and the ball is flying, you got to play deep and anything’s going to carry.”

This weekend Clemson will travel to Winston-Salem for a three-game set with No. 12 Wake Forest. The series opener is Friday, with first pitch set for 6pm.

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!