CLEMSON – Cam Cannarella was born with the “clutch gene.”
Historically, it shines brightest when the Clemson Tigers play postseason baseball at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Over three years of postseason play at Clemson, Cannarella has maintained a .429 batting average with 15 hits, including four home runs and 16 RBIs in just nine games. He added to that legacy in Clemson’s 7-3 win over USC Upstate in Game 2 of the Clemson Regional Friday night, as he delivered three hits, including an eighth-inning insurance home run.
He finished the night with 4 RBIs.
“I love the big moments, and when that time comes, I want to shine in that moment,” the junior centerfielder said. “I’m just happy the people got on base for me, and I had the big moment for us to win the game.”
Cannarella’s teammates, coaches, and Clemson fans have grown accustomed to watching the Hartsville, S.C., native perform under pressure.
“He is our superhero,” head coach Erik Bakich said of Cannarella earlier in the season. “He has really been a catalyst for our team the last two years. This is his third year. His superpower is that he’s got the clutch gene. Whenever we need a big hit, he seems to get it. He is in the middle of all the action, he is in the middle of all the scoring.”
Cannarella made his postseason presence known from the start. In his first season with the Tigers, in which he was named the ACC Freshman of the Year, Cannarella crushed a three-run homer against Tennessee to take a lead. Later, with the game on the line, he ripped a game-tying double in the ninth to force extra innings.
In 2024, he launched another three-run homer over the fence at Doug Kingsmore to tie the game against Florida in a Super Regional elimination matchup. One inning later, he made an over-the-shoulder catch (featured by SportsCenter) in centerfield to keep the Tigers alive.
Cannarella’s most recent clutch play came in the form of a two-run double in the fifth inning against Upstate to tie the score 2-2. Later, his two-run homer secured the final 7-3 score.
Through all the roster changes, the postseason atmosphere at Doug Kingsmore Stadium has stayed consistent.
“We’ve been here for the past three years, and the fans, they’re once in a lifetime,” Cannarella said. “I’m just happy to be at Clemson. I got to play with Caden Grice and Cooper Ingle my freshman year, and it was a great experience.
“Last year, I got to play with Alden Mathes, Jacob Hinderleider, Jimmy Obertop, and this year we got to play with new guys. I’m just happy to be here, and the fans are the most exciting part of the tournament.”
Cannarella gave those fans plenty to cheer about. He is currently riding a 20-game hitting streak, dating back to April 19, during which he has batted .407 with eight multi-hit games. Over the Tigers’ last seven games, he has hit .567 with four multi-hit performances.
According to Bakich, Cannarella was already “smelling the postseason,” even through three consecutive series losses across April and May. Since a series loss to Duke in early May, the Tigers hold a 7-1 record with a sweep against Pittsburgh and three consecutive victories in the ACC Tournament. Cannarella was responsible for seven hits in four tournament games.
“This is the time where he’s at his best and shines the brightest,” Bakich said.
Cannarella has his next opportunity to shine Saturday, as the Tigers return to action to take on No. 2 seed West Virginia in Game 4 of the Clemson Regional. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.