CLEMSON — Clemson is set to open the 2026 baseball season on Friday at home against Army and head coach Erik Bakich has announced his starting rotation for the first weekend of the season.

As expected, right-hander Aidan Knaak will get the start on Opening Day. Knaak is a two-time first-team All-ACC selection and is the first Tiger pitcher in history to accomplish that feat in each of his first two seasons.

“The plan always has been Aidan Knaak,” Bakich said on Tuesday. “There is no mystery there.”

In 31 career starts, he is 14-2 with a 3.71 ERA. Knaak has thrown 173.2 innings, striking out218 walks to just 58 walks. Opponents have hit just .217 against him, and he is second in program history in strikeouts-per-nine-innings pitched (11.30).

Transfer Michael Sharman will get the nod on Saturday. Last season at Tennessee, the left-hander was a key piece in on the Vols’ pitching staff, posting a 3.18 ERA across 17 appearances (three starts). In 22.2 innings pitched, he allowed 19 hits, 10 walks and just one home run while striking out 25.

“He is kind of that left-handed version of Matt Marchal, who we had a couple of years ago,” Bakich said. “Michael Sharman is one of those guys. He can start, he can relieve, he can really command his pitches like Matt Marchal. And he is left-handed and can pitch on both sides of the plate.”

The Tigers did not name a starter for Sunday, but earlier in the week, Bakich revealed Drew Titsworth would be out this weekend. The head coach also hinted that lefty Talan Bell was a strong candidate to get a start. However, Bakich also indicated that the flu was making the rounds in the clubhouse, which could impact those plans.

“With Titsworth out this weekend, then that brings up who goes Saturday, who goes Sunday,” Bakich said. “Talan Bell will go one of those days.”

SERIES SETUP
• Who – Army West Point (0-0) vs. Clemson (0-0)
• Best Ranking – AWP – NR; CU – No. 17 NCBWA, USA Today
• When – Friday (4 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.), Sunday (Noon)
• Where – Clemson, S.C. (Doug Kingsmore Stadium)
• Watch – ACC Network Extra
• Video Announcers – Fred Cunningham, Ron Smith
• Listen (Radio) – Clemson Athletic Network (locally on WCCP (105.5 FM))

SERIES HISTORY
• Overall Record – 0-0

STARTING PITCHERS
• Friday – RHP Andrew Berg (AWP) vs. RHP Aidan Knaak (CU)
• Saturday – RHP Robbie Penswick (AWP) vs. LHP Michael Sharman (CU)
• Sunday – TBA (AWP) vs. TBA (CU)

Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this story