With any shot at an at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament on the line against Florida State on Sunday, the Clemson baseball team needed a win.

The two teams had split the first two games of the series, and after the Tigers’ game two victory on Saturday, Clemson’s RPI was up to No. 35. However, it just wasn’t meant to be as the Seminoles handed the Tigers a 6-3 loss, dropping the team to 9-18 in conference play.

With those 18 ACC losses, the chances of an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament are pretty much gone. The only realistic shot this team has now is winning the ACC Tournament, which begins on May 19.

“Before we even get to winning the conference tournament, we just need to get back to playing better,” Erik Bakich said after the series loss to FSU. “We were playing pretty good there for a while… I thought. The final two games against BC, the game at Coastal. Obviously, on Saturday, we pitched and defended well. In our heads, we were going to come out of today with a series win and with a lot of momentum. Now we just have to recreate that momentum.”

However, before the conference tournament, the Tigers have a midweek game against USC-Upstate and then must travel to Blacksburg for a Thursday-Saturday series against Virginia Tech. The Hokies have also been living on the bubble, and will have everything to play for in the series.

For Clemson, the story may be different. Will the Tigers rest both Michael Sharman and Aidan Knaak this weekend to ensure they are on full rest for the conference tournament, which begins the Tuesday after the Virginia Tech series concludes?

“We will have to figure all of that out this week,” Bakich added. “To see if we will potentially limit Sharman and Knaak. Not pitch them or see how game one goes and then decide.”

It appears any and all options are on the table. Sharman has been the team’s most reliable starter all season, despite a short outing on Saturday against the Seminoles. Knaak has been up and down this season, but has still been the only other fixture in the weekend rotation all year.

If the decision is made to rest both pitchers this weekend, look for guys like Dylan Harrison or Eston Simpson to possibly make starts. Danny Nelson is another option. The freshman started the midweek game against Coastal last week, then threw four innings of relief in the game two win over Florida State. Dane Moehler has served as the opener on Friday each of the past two weeks, and Justin Leguernic and Drew Titsworth both have experience as starters, as well.

Whatever decision is made, the Tigers are going to need both Sharman and Knaak early in the ACC Tournament. Either they will be given adequate rest, or they might be forced to go on short rest.

“Everything is on the table, there is nothing we have not ruled out,” Bakich said. “We have been discussing all scenarios for a while now, but have not made a decision on exactly what we will do yet. But we are going to go to Blacksburg to play to win, for sure.