ARLINGTON, Texas — After playing from behind most of the afternoon, No. 15 Clemson got two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to go ahead for good, as it knocked off No. 17 Oklahoma State, 6-5, at Globe Like Park in Arlington Friday to start the Shriners Children’s College Showdown.

It was the season opener for both clubs and marked the first time since 2002 the Tigers opened a new season with a win over a ranked opponent. That season, they started the year with a win over nationally ranked Auburn.

Lucas Mahlstedt pitched the final two innings to earn the save, while holding the Cowboys scoreless. Nathan Dvorsky, who pitched a perfect seventh, was awarded the win.

Luke Gaffney went 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, while Dominic Listi was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Josh Paino, Jarren Purify and Tristan Bissetta each drove in one run apiece.

Aidan Knaak got the start for the Tigers (1-0), striking out the first six hitters he faced. However, he would run into some trouble over the next two innings and wound up allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out seven. Two of those hits were solo home runs and he also walked a batter across four innings of work.

Gabe Davis got the nod for the Cowboys, going 4.1 innings while allowing three runs on three hits. He struck out six and walked three.

Clemson got on the board first with a run in the bottom of the second. After an infield single by Andrew Ciufo loaded the bases with one out, Purify hit a sharp ground ball to third. The throw came home and beat the runner home, but the umpire ruled Cowboys’ catcher Ian Daugherty’s foot was not on the plate, allowing Listi to score.

Oklahoma State got that run and more right back in the top of the third. Knaak quickly retired the first two hitters in the inning before Avery Ortiz launched a solo shot out to left to tie it up. Knaak then issued a two-out walk and back-to-back singles that put the Cowboys up 3-1.

Oklahoma State added to the lead in the top of the fourth when Donovan LaSalle smacked a solo homer out to left, putting the Cowboys out in front 4-1.

The Tigers cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fifth. After Davis allowed two of the first three hitters in the inning to reach, left-hander Ethan Lund came on in relief. Tristan McCladdie greeted him with a single to left to load the bases with one out. Lund then struck out Jake Jarrell for the second out before issuing back-to-back walks to Listi and Paino which forced in two runs, cutting the Cowboys’ lead to 4-3.

Oklahoma State would do more two-out damage in the top of the sixth, getting an RBI double from Daugherty off reliever Jacob McGovern that pushed the lead right back out to two at 5-3.

The Tigers would do some two-out damage of their own in the bottom half of the same inning. After Lund struck out the first two hitters, he would hit Cam Cannarella. Gaffney ripped a 1-2 pitch down the line in left, driving in Cannarella and pulling Clemson back to within a run at 5-4.

Clemson would retake the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh. With runners on second and third with just one out, Bissetta hit a chopper back up the middle that plated Listi from third. Paino would then score on a wild pitch, putting the Tigers back out in front 6-5.

Clemson is right back at it tomorrow as the Tigers face off with Arizona at noon (EST).