CLEMSON — The eighth-ranked Clemson Tigers picked up their third win of the weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning to defeat VCU for a second time in as many days, 4-3.

Clemson beat the Rams 6-2 on Friday in the first game of the Clemson Invitational.

VCU (1-5) got things going in the second with a walk followed by a double to get ahead 1-0. 

Clemson answered the Rams’ early run in the bottom of the third with four runs of their own. Jarren Purify started off with a single and stole second and third base. Dominic Listi hit an RBI single and Josh Paino reached on a fielding error. Tryston McCladdie hit a bases clearing double and later scored on a wild pitch making the score 4-1.

It turned out to be all the runs the Tigers needed. 

VCU scratched one run in the top of the sixth inning after hitting two singles and a ground out that allowed a run to score. The Rams later cut the Tigers’ lead to one run, 4-3, in the top of the eighth inning with a solo home run.

Junior Ethan Darden (1-0) earned the win after pitching six innings. Darden allowed two runs off six hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

Reed Garris came in relief. He pitched three innings giving up one run on one hit with three strikeouts to earn the save. VCU starting pitcher, Brian Yetter, was given the loss after pitching 2 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on three hits.

The Tigers (5-1) finished the game with five hits and left 10 runners on base. The Rams had seven hits leaving five stranded with one error in the field. 

Up Next

Clemson will finish the Clemson Invitational on Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, as it faces North Carolina A&T for the second time in two days. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.