CLEMSON — Nate Savoie’s run-scoring double in the bottom of the eighth plated the go-ahead run as No. 19 Clemson squeaked by Army 3-2 on Opening Day at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Tryston McCladdie led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a single into left. He then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error before Savoie’s drive to deep center brought him home with the winning run.

Savoie was 3-for-4 in his debut with the Tigers, while Jarren Purify went 2-for-4. Jacob Jarrell finished 1-for-3 with a big two-run homer.

Aidan Knaak was up and down in his first start of the season, allowing one run and striking out six in three innings of work. He gave up three hits and surrendered two walks, while also hitting a batter.

Freshman right-hander Dylan Harrison then came on in relief, holding the Black Knights to just one run over 4.1 innings in his first career outing.

Joe Allen pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing no runs and striking out three in picking up his first win of the season.

Army got on the board first in the top of the second. After loading the bases with two outs, in part to an errant throw from McCladdie, the Black Knights would plate a run on an infield single, putting the Tigers in an early 1-0 hole.

Knaak then issued a four-pitch walk to start the third, before hitting a batter, putting runners at first and second with no outs. The right-hander then struck out the next two before allowing a weak single out into left, but Nate Savoie gunned down William Parker, who was trying to score from second.

The Tigers would load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the fourth, but Jacob Jarrell would strike out swinging, stranding all three runners.

Jack Quinlan would take Harrison deep out to left with two out in the top of the seventh, a solo shot, making it 2-0.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Tigers finally got on the board. Jack Crighton led things off with a single into right before Jarrell smashed a two-run shot out to deep left, knotting the score at 2-2. Jarrell led the team with 15 homers last season.

Up Next

The same two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday to conclude the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

Photo by Bart Boatwright