CLEMSON — Tristan Bissetta’s one-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning plated Blake Wright as top-seeded Clemson earned a 4-3 walk-off win over No. 4 seed High Point in Game 2 of the Clemson Regional Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
With the win, the Tigers move on to the winner’s bracket and will face off with No. 3 seed Coastal Carolina on Saturday. The Chanticleers beat No.2 Vanderbilt in Game 1.
Tristan Smith gave Clemson (42-14) the quality start it needed, holding High Point to just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings of work. He struck out nine batters and for the first time this season he did not walk a hitter.
Lucas Mahlstedt and Reed Garris combined to give the Tigers’ 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief and Austin Gordon got the final three outs to get the win (2-2), giving Clemson a chance to work its ninth inning magic.
Bissetta, Jack Crighton and Jacob Jarrell each had two-hit nights, helping to lead Clemson at the plate, while Jarren Purify drove in two of the Tigers’ four runs.
Panthers’ starter Gus Hughes kept Clemson hitters off balance much of the contest, scattering eight hits over seven innings, while allowing just three runs (two earned). He struck out seven and walked just two in the 118-pitch outing.
Clemson got the scoring started in the bottom of the third. After Jacob Hinderleider singled to left-center with one out, he moved to second on a fielder’s choice. Cam Cannarella’s two-out hit out to right drove in Hinderleider, giving the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
High Point (34-26) came right back in the top of the fourth. After a fielding error by Crighton allowed leadoff hitter Konni Durschlag to reach, a passed ball allowed him to move to second. A single by Cael Chatham off the wall in right was misplayed by Alden Mathes, allowing Durschlag to score from second and tie it up.
After Peyton Carr struck out for the first out of the inning, Adam Stuart singled to left putting runners on the corners. An infield single by Charlie Klingler then gave the Panthers the lead at 2-1, as both runs scored in the inning were unearned.
Clemson tied it right back up in the bottom half of the inning. With runners on the corners and nobody out, Jarren Purify bunted it back to the pitcher, whose toss home went over the catcher’s head, allowing Bissetta to score from third, tying the game at 2-2.
After back-to-back singles to start the sixth, along with a wild pitch, the Panthers had runners on the corners and nobody out. A fielder’s choice by Klingler put High Point back up by a run, and ended Smith’s night. Garris came on to retire the next two hitters to escape any further damage.
The Tigers answered in the bottom half of the frame. After Crighton reached on an error, Jarrell doubled to left, putting runners at second and third with no outs. Purify then ripped a single into center, tying the score at 3-3, but that was all Clemson got as Hinderleider struck out looking and Wright grounded out to third, stranding both runners.
STAT OF THE GAME
Twice Clemson rallied in the win over High Point on Friday night. It marked the 25th come-from-behind win of the season for the Tigers.
UP NEXT
Clemson will face Coastal Carolina at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
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!
