CLEMSON — Clemson plated six runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to turn a one run lead into a seven-run cushion as the top-seeded Tigers eliminated third-seeded Coastal Carolina with a 12-5 victory on Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The win advances the Tigers to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2010. It was also the program’s first regional win at Doug Kingsmore since 2009.

Alden Mathes and Jacob Hinderleider each drove in three runs, while Jimmy Obertop added two RBIs of his own. After going 5-for-5 in Saturday’s win over the Chants, Hinderleider was 3-for-5 on Sunday with a walk. Cam Cannarella finished the night 2-for-5, including a big late home run.

Austin Gordon came on with two outs in the eighth after the Chants pulled to within a run. He struck out the first hitter he saw, before getting a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 11th save of the season.

Ethan Darden got the start, holding the Chanticleers (36-25) to just two runs on five hits through 4 2/3 innings of work. Reed Garris came on in relief in the fifth to give the Tigers three innings of relief to pick up the win, including a big punch out with two outs in the fifth with runners on the corners.

The Tigers (44-14) got the scoring started early. After Alden Mathes and Hinderleider both reached to start the bottom of the first, Wright drove in a run with an RBI single into left. A fielding error on a fly ball off the bat of Cannarella loaded the bases, and Hinderleider came around to score when Obertop reached on a fielder’s choice, giving the Tigers the early 2-0 lead.

The Chants answered in the top of the second with three straight singles off of Darden to start the inning, cutting the lead to 2-1. A sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third and just like last year against Florida State, the Tigers pulled off the hidden ball trick and got the runner out at third for the second out of the inning. Darden then got a ground ball out to prevent any further damage.

The Tigers got right back to work in the bottom half of the inning, putting runners on the corners with just one out. Mathes grounded one sharply to first. The defender could not handle it and everyone was safe, including Nolan Nawrocki scoring from third to make it 3-1.

After Darden got the Chants 1-2-3 in the top of third, Obertop launched a one-out solo shot out to dead center, giving Clemson a 4-1 advantage. It was Obertop’s 20th home run of the season and the Tigers’ first long ball of the regional.

The Tigers tacked on another run in the fourth, After Mathes worked a two-out walk, he then moved to second on an errant throw on a pickoff attempt. Hinderleider followed by lacing a single to left and bringing Mathes home to extend the lead to 5-1.

Coastal got a run back in the top of the fifth on a two-out RBI single by Sam Antonacci, making it 5-2. With runners on the corners, Garris came on in relief of Darden and got a huge strikeout to the end the threat.

The Tigers again tacked on a run in the fifth inning. After loading the bases with just one out, Nawrocki drew a walk, plating a run and making it 6-2.

In the top of the eighth, with two outs, Coastal got back-to-back homers off Garris to pull to within a run. Caden Bodine started it with a two-run shot and Derek Bender followed that up with a solo shot to end Garris’ night.

Clemson quickly got those runs back and then some, as Cannarella led off the bottom half of the inning with a solo shot of his own, his 10th of the season. Jack Crighton added an RBI single, while Mathes and Hinderleider each had 2-run doubles to give the Tigers the seven run advantage.

STAT OF THE GAME

Clemson actually had several opportunities to blow this one open earlier. The Tigers stranded 12 base runners in the first seven innings and were just 4-of-15 with runners in scoring position during that span. They were 3-of-6 in the eighth inning alone.

UP NEXT

The Tigers will host a Super Regional next weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium and will face either Oklahoma State or Florida.

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!