CLEMSON — Clemson has hosted four other Super Regionals in its rich baseball history, and on two of those occasions the Tigers found their backs against the wall following a difficult loss in Game 1 of the three-game series.
In both cases, Clemson clawed back to win the series and advanced to Omaha.
This year’s Tigers find themselves in that exact situation too following Florida’s 10-7 victory Saturday in Game 1 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
In 2002, Clemson lost to Arkansas in Game 1 of that Super Regional, but it rallied to win Games 2 and 3 to advance to the College World Series. In 2010, the Tigers lost to Alabama in Game 1, but they found a way to win Games 2 and 3 to advance, the last time they made it to Omaha.
“You reference (those games) because it is the program and collectively, we got our arms around the entire program going back a long way,” Clemson head coach Erik Bakich said after Game 1. “We have done it all year, just connecting with the alums at this program who have shared their experiences with guys who have talked about playing in Omaha and they had to do it the same way. They took a punch in Game 1.
“You reference it just for the familiarity, knowing guys who have sat in their seats and worn their shoes have done it the same way.”
With the Tigers (44-15) staring elimination and a long off-season in the face, its fitting this Clemson team finds itself in this position. This has been the story for the 2024 Tigers all year long.
“I would say our confidence is not altered at all. We got to win a series for a trip to Omaha,” right fielder Alden Mathes said following a three-hit day in Game 1. “Obviously, losing Game 1 is not ideal, but just like we have been all year, our backs are against the wall. I think that is when we thrive and play our best.”
They have rallied 25 times this season to win when it looked like sure defeat. They most recently did it against High Point in last week’s Clemson Regional.
“We’ve played from early deficits, late deficits, big deficits, small deficits,” Bakich said. “Twenty-five times this year we have been behind, and they have come out and found a way to take the lead. I thought we were today. I was visualizing a four-spot in the bottom of the ninth, it just did not happen.”
Can the Tigers visualize coming back against a Florida team that barely made the tournament after underperforming all season yet finds itself one win away from the CWS and the ultimate team rally.
“It is a series for a reason. We have been in this position before and we got a good pitcher going tomorrow and we like our chances to even things up,” Bakich said. “I could not think of a better group of guys to be against the ropes and have to pitch and play our way out off the ropes than with this team right here.”
Clemson will go with lefty Aiden Knaak on the mound Sunday to try and keep its season alive, while the Gators will throw lefty Jac Caglianone to try and close the series.
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!
