CLEMSON — After 19 consecutive scoreless innings, No. 2 Clemson exploded for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to avoid being swept by NC State at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The five-run seventh, along with another stellar pitching performance from starter Aidan Knaak, aided in the Tigers’ 7-0 victory on Sunday. The win over the Wolfpack snapped Clemson’s three-game losing streak.
Knaak, who won ACC co-Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance at Notre Dame last week, allowed just one hit through the first six innings and had seven strikeouts. He allowed just three hits in seven innings of work at Notre Dame, and again just one hit through the first six innings on Sunday.
After throwing just 81 pitches in seven scoreless innings at Notre Dame, Knaak was just as efficient on Sunday. He threw 97 pitches in eight scoreless innings.
The true freshman finished his day allowing no runs on two hits with 10 strikeouts to one walk in a career-best eight innings of work. In his last three starts, Knaak has allowed just one earned run and seven hits in 22 innings.
With no outs in the bottom of the seventh, Clemson broke the scoreless tie when Jacob Hinderleider singled to right centerfield to score Aiden Mathes from third base.
Jarren Purify later doubled with one out after an attempted sliding catch by right fielder Josh Hogue went wrong. The double allowed Jimmy Obertop to come with the second run.
The play of the game came on the Tigers’ next at-bat, when Tryston McCladdie executed a perfect double-squeeze sacrifice to score Hinderleider and Purify.
Purify just slid under the tag to score, which replay later held up. The squeeze was McCladdie’s first career RBI.
Cam Cannarella later singled up the middle to bring McCladdie home for the fifth run. The Tigers added two more runs in the eighth to complete the 7-0 victory.
Through the first six innings, Clemson’s Knaak and NC State’s Cooper Consiglio did not allow a run and gave up just five combined hits, while striking out nine and issuing two walks.
Consiglio was just as impressive as Knaak for NC State. He came into the game with a 7.82 ERA, but he pitched six scoreless innings before being charged two runs on a hit and a walk in the seventh inning.
The lefty finished the day allowing five hits and walking two batters, while fanning three in six official innings or work.
RECORDS
Clemson improves to 29-6 overall and 11-4 in the ACC. NC State fell to 20-13 and 10-8 in the ACC.
UP NEXT
Clemson will host Charlotte on Tuesday. First Pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
