CLEMSON — Jack Crighton picked the perfect time to hit his first career home run.

With Clemson trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh, Crighton, who was playing in his 100th career game, hit a three-run shot out to dead center, propelling the No. 3 Tigers to a 7-6 win over No. 17 Louisville on Thursday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Lucas Mahlstedt pitched the final 1.2 innings to notch his national-leading 13th save of the season. Mahlstedt allowed one hit and struck out two.

Aidan Knaak had a tough-luck start while giving Clemson (34-6, 12-4 ACC) six quality innings. The right-handed hurler allowed five runs on six hits while striking out seven, but three of those runs were unearned after two fielding errors in the top of the first.

Jacob McGovern threw a scoreless seventh in relief of Knaak to pick up the win (2-0).

Louisville (27-10, ACC) wasted no time in getting the scoring started, with the help of two first-inning errors by Clemson infielders. The Cardinals were able to turn those miscues into three unearned runs, quickly going up 3-0.

In the bottom half of the inning, Collin Priest lifted a three-run homer out to right on the very first pitch he saw to tie it up. It was Priest’s eighth long ball of the season.

The Cardinals would go right back on top in the second. Knaak allowed back-to-back hits to start the inning, putting runners on second and third with no outs. A couple of fielder’s choice hits would bring both runners home, giving Louisville a 5-3 advantage.

The Tigers cut into the lead in the bottom of the fourth. After Crighton grounded to third to start the frame, Josh Paino singled into left for a one-out hit. A wild pitch moved him to second. Luke Gaffney then ripped a single into left, putting runners at the corners. Another wild pitch would plate Paino and move Gaffney to second. Andrew Ciufo and Dominic Listi then drew back-to-back walks to load the bases. Cam Cannarella then flew out to shallow left before Jarren Purify hit one deep out to right, but it was caught just shy of the wall, stranding all three runners.

The score would remain that way until the seventh. Purify reached on an error with one out. After Priest struck out, Jacob Jarrell walked, putting runners at first and second and setting up Crighton’s two-out heroics. Crighton hit a 1-0 pitch out to dead center, and when the Tigers took the field in the eighth, the right-fielder received a standing ovation from the Cajun Cafe.

The Cards would get one of those runs back in the eighth. After Reed Garris struck out the first hitter of the inning, Louisville got back-to-back singles. That’s when Erik Bakich turned to Mahlstedt. A fielding error by Luke Gaffney then loaded the bases. After a fielder’s choice made it 7-6, Mahlstedt struck out the next hitter to end the inning and stop the bleeding.

Success In Close Games

The win moves Clemson to 8-0 in one-run games. The Tigers are also 8-1 in games decided by two runs.

Up Next

These same two teams will square off again on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.