CLEMSON — No. 8 Clemson used a five-run third inning en route to a 12-7 win over North Carolina A&T on Saturday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. With the win, the Tigers improved to 4-1 on the season while the Aggies fell to 2-1. 

The Tigers started quickly as Dominic Listi got things started with a single and Josh Paino was hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second base. Cam Cannarella hit an RBI single to score the first run. After Collin Priest walked and Jack Crighton got hit by a pitch, Tristan Bissetta hit a two-run single to put the Tigers up 3-0 after one inning.

The Aggies responded with a six-run inning in the top of the third on three hits, making the score 6-3. 

Clemson answered back in the bottom of the third with five runs off five hits. Cannarella and Luke Gaffney both singled. Priest came up with an RBI single to score Cannarella, and then Crighton came up with an RBI sac fly. Bissetta walked and Tryston McCladdie singled, loading the bases. Listi got hit by a pitch, bringing in a run. Clemson finished the scoring for the inning with an RBI single by Paino, followed by McCladdie scoring on a passed ball, and the Tigers took an 8-6 lead.

North Carolina A&T got one back in the fifth after a walk and a double to cut the lead to 8-7. 

The Tigers answered in the bottom of the frame with a single and advanced base from Andrew Ciufo. McCladdie hit an RBI single, making the score 9-7 in favor of Clemson. 

Clemson extended its lead in the eighth. Gaffney got things started with a solo home run. Jacob Jarrell worked a walk, Crighton singled and Ciufo worked a walk to load the bases. McCladdie drove in a run on a sac fly, and heads-up base running brought home another run for the 12-7 lead. 

Clemson reliever Nathan Dvorsky (2-0) earned the win after allowing two runs on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Tiger starter Jacob McGovern also pitched 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts. Lucas Mahlstedt pitched 2.2 scoreless innings to earn his second save of the season. North Carolina A&T starter Angel Ortiz (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs on six hits in 2.2 innings.

The Tigers finished the game with 16 hits, led by McCladdie and Gaffney with three each, while stranding 11 runners. The Aggies tallied seven hits in the contest and left seven on base. 

UP NEXT

Clemson will host VCU for the second time this weekend in Game 2 of Saturday’s doubleheader, with an approximate start time of 4:30 p.m.