CLEMSON — Many flames were extinguished in Tigertown.

Clemson (17-1) earned its 15th straight win against the Liberty Flames on Wednesday, handily defeating them 8-2 after a first-inning three-run homer put the Tigers ahead early.

Clemson’s 15-game winning streak is tied for the seventh-longest winning streak in school history.

After the early scoring barrage, the tight defense of the Tigers, along with great pitching, held the Flames to only a single run in the fifth inning. With a run in the fourth inning and a few runs added in the later innings, Clemson added salt to the wound and never looked back until the game ended.

The Flames (11-6) started the second game with three quick outs at-bat, giving Clemson a chance to put up the first scores. That is what the Tigers did, as a hit from third baseman Josh Paino flew up into the right-field stands, bringing himself and teammates Jarren Purify and Cam Cannarella in after they both earned singles. Just like that, the Tigers had a good lead.

Both teams played great defense after that, with Tiger pitcher Chance Fitzgerald coming in at the beginning of the fourth inning and pitching three straight strikeouts. His pitching set up the Tigers to score another run to add to their lead when designated hitter Tristan Bissetta hit a double, bringing in first baseman Tryston McCladdie for their fourth run of the game.

Liberty finally earned a run of its own in the fifth inning after a single by shortstop Tanner Marsh brought home Michael Robertson, who got on base after being walked. The Flames would only earn one in the inning, but the lead got a little bit smaller for Clemson.

Not much action came until the bottom of the sixth, where the Tigers earned two more runs to make the score 6-1. The first inning came from a homer hit by catcher Luke Gaffney, his third of the season, and the second after a single from left fielder Dominic Listi brought home Bissetta. With a five-run lead heading into the seventh inning, the Tigers were looking in good shape, and the defense just had to hold firm.

After that, both teams traded defensive stands. Three straight outs in back-to-back innings kept Clemson ahead by five runs, but that wasn’t the end of it. In the bottom of the eighth, the bases quickly became loaded, and the scores started pouring in. A walk for Purify brought Bissetta home, and a pop fly from Cannarella allowed Ciufo to tag up for the run.

With the Tigers far ahead, Liberty couldn’t catch up despite a home run from Tucker Moore, and Clemson secured the series sweep.

Noah Samol earned the win for the Tigers, pitching just the first inning while allowing no hits and eight strikes on 15 pitches. Liberty’s Caleb Lingenfelter got the loss, pitching two innings and allowing two hits and three runs, which came in the first inning and began Clemson’s lead, which never faltered.

The Tigers stay home and looks to add another win to their belt in their series-opening game against Notre Dame on Friday, March 14, at 4 p.m.