The Clemson Insider takes a look back at No. 11 Clemson’s 12-1 series-opening win over No. 10 Dallas Baptist on Friday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

What happened?

The Tigers (5-0) jumped out to a quick start with two runs in the bottom of the first inning as Chris Williams had a RBI double and later came in to score on a wild pitch. Clemson added to the lead in the second as Drew Wharton hit his first homer of the year to make it 3-0. The Tigers kept hitting, adding two more runs in third on a two-run double from Robert Jolly. Clemson broke the game open with three-spots in both the fifth and sixth inning to make it 11-0. In the fifth, Williams hit a two-run homer and Grayson Byrd brought in a run on a single. The next inning, Jolly had another RBI double, Wharton drove in a run on a sac fly, and Byrd singled home another run. The Tigers made it 12-0 in the seventh as Williams drove in his fourth run of the game on a two-out single. The Patriots (3-1) scratched a run across in the ninth but could get no closer as Clemson won the series opener.

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changed right off the bat in the first inning. Dallas Baptist put two runners on with only one out, but Tiger starter Jacob Hennessy got a big strikeout and a groundout ended the threat. The Clemson offense didn’t waste a chance in the bottom of the frame, scoring two two-out runs and never looking back.

What went right?

The offense started strong and never looked back, collecting 18 hits in the game. Williams led all hitters with four hits while driving four runs in and scoring four runs. Jolly contributed three hits and three RBI while Patrick Cromwell, Byrd, and Bryce Teodosio each had two hits. Hennessy had an outstanding start, throwing 6.1 scoreless innings with only three hits and eight strikeouts. 

What went wrong?

Clemson played its most complete game of the entire season, limiting the Patriots to only four hits as the game was never really in doubt.