Aidan Knaak, Joe Allen and Lucas Mahlstedt combined for the first Clemson no-hitter since 2009, as the No. 15 Tigers took the series opener from Pitt 6-1 on Friday at Charles L. Cost Field in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Knaak was lights out in picking up the win (8-1), tying a career-high with 12 strikeouts across 7.1 innings of work. Knaak did not allow a hit while walking three and hitting one batter. He threw 112 pitches and the 7.1 innings also tied a career-high.
Allen came on in relief of Knaak with one out in the eighth, and got the next four outs, but with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the right-hander walked back-to-back hitters, putting runners at first and second. Mahlstedt then came out of the bullpen to get the final out.
The last time the Tigers registered a no-hitter came back in 2009, as five different pitchers combined to no-hit USC-Upstate in a 14-0 win.
The last time a Clemson starting pitcher took a no-hitter that deep was in 2019, when Mat Clark lost his no-hit bid with no outs in the ninth inning against Louisville.
Jacob Jarrell finished the day 4-for-5 with a home run and one RBI, while Cam Cannarella was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Jarren Purify, Jack Crighton and Andrew Ciufo each had two-hit games, with Purify adding a solo shot of his own.
Pitt starting pitcher Brett Gardner set a career-high with seven strikeouts, but did allow four runs on eight hits, in taking the loss (4-5).
Clemson loaded the bases in the bottom of the third with nobody out. After Collin Priest hit one on a button right at the shortstop for the first out, Luke Gaffney grounded to third, but the Panthers could not turn the double play, allowing the run from third to score and giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
Clemson would add another run in the fourth. After Purify stole his 24th base of the season with two outs, Ciufo doubled down the left-field line, driving him in and making it 2-0.
Jarrell hit his team-leading 12th home run of the season to lead off the sixth, a solo shot out to right-center, and Cannarella added an RBI single later in the frame, putting the Tigers up 4-0.
Clemson would get some insurance in the eighth, with Purify adding his fifth homer of the season, a solo shot to lead off the eighth, to lead off the inning. Priest then drove in a run with an infield single, making it 6-0.
The Panthers were able to get on the board in the bottom of the eighth without the benefit of a hit. Knaak walked a hitter and hit another, putting runners at first and second with nobody out. After a sacrifice fly that saw Listi make a leaping grab at the wall to preserve the no-hitter, runners were on second and third. A wild pitch allowed Pitt to make it 6-1. After Knaak walked the next hitter, his day was done.
Allen relieved Knaak and hit the first batter he faced, loading the bases. He then got a double-play ball to escape the jam.
Hitting Woes Solved for One Night? Yes and No
Clemson hitters did register 14 base hits in this one, but at the same time, were just 4-of-17 with runners in scoring position and just 1-for-9 with two outs. The Tigers struck out eight times and left 12 runners on base.
Cannarella Extends Hitting Streak
Cannarella’s third-inning single extended his current hitting streak to 13 games. The centerfielder has now also reached base at least once in 35 straight games. After seeing his batting average dip below .300 two weeks ago, Cannarella is now at .316 on the season.
Purify Steals
Purify’s stolen base in the fourth gives him 24 on the season. He has been caught just four times all season.
Up Next
The same two teams square off on Friday afternoon in game two of the weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the game will streamed on ACCNX.