Jake Radel and Aidan Knaak locked horns in a pitchers’ duel, with the Notre Dame starter getting the best of the Tigers’ ace as the Fighting Irish took down the No. 19 Tigers 6-0 on Friday in game one of a three-game series at Frank Eck Stadium in South Bend on Friday.

Radel made easy work of the Clemson (18-5, 1-3 ACC) lineup through eight scoreless innings, striking out eight while allowing four hits and no walks.

Tryston McCladdie had two singles, while Ty Dalley and Luke Gaffney each had one. Those were the only hits the Clemson offense could muster.

Knaak wasn’t bad himself after getting hammered in a loss to Georgia Tech last week, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits, while striking out eight and walking one across five innings. With no run support, Knaak was charged with the loss (0-3).

Justin LeGuernic came on in relief of Knaak, and the Irish (12-6, 4-3) tagged him pretty good, including giving up a three-run shot that broke the game open. The lefty allowed four runs in two-plus innings.

Mason Barth’s 407-foot home run out to center to start the bottom of the third put the Irish up 1-0. It was Barth’s second long ball of the season, and the fourth home run Knaak has surrendered this season.

A throwing error by Tyler Lichtenberger helped lead to another run for Notre Dame in the fourth, with Parker Brzustewicz driving in a run with an RBI single, making it 2-0.

The Irish added to the lead in the bottom of the seventh. After LeGuernic issued a leadoff walk to Brzustewicz, he was bunted over to second. A Jayce Lee infield single, combined with an error by Luke Gaffney, allowed the runner to score. After LeGuernic hit the next batter with a pitch, Jamie Zee smacked a three-run homer out to right, giving Notre Dame a commanding 6-0 lead.

Shutouts

Of Clemson’s five losses this season, they have been shut out in three of those. Not quite the recipe for a team with postseason aspirations.

Model of Consistency

Jacob Jarrell made his 130th start for the Tigers on Friday. After leading the team with 15 homers last season, Jarrell’s power has once again been a factor in 2026. His nine home runs are tied with Nate Savoie for the team lead, and his 21 runs driven in are the third most in the lineup.

Up Next

The same two teams will square off again on Saturday in the second of a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game is not going to be televised.