CLEMSON – Eight Clemson players notched hits as the tenth-ranked Tigers scored in five of six offensive innings on the way to a 14-1 run-rule victory over the La Salle Explorers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Friday.
In the first installment of a four-game series, the Tigers notched 10 hits, a season high in runs, recorded no errors, and allowed only four La Salle hits throughout the afternoon. Every member of Clemson’s order touched base or recorded at least one RBI in the victory.
Second baseman Jarren Purify pieced together his sixth multi-hit game of the season, and first baseman Luke Gaffney had three hits in a game for the third time this year. Centerfielder Tryston McCladdie hit his fifth home run of the season, tying catcher Jacob Jarrell for most on the team.
Additionally, eight Tiger players drew walks or hit-by-pitches as Clemson remained a perfect 9-0 at home through just over three weeks of play. The victory marked the fourth run-rule win of the season and the third at home.
On the mound, Clemson’s pitching staff allowed two or fewer runs for the ninth time in the young season. In his first weekend start, freshman Dylan Harrison allowed only one run with five strike outs and no walks in four innings of work.
La Salle opened all scoring in the first, when the second batter in the order sent a solo home run to left center field. Harrison gave up a single to the next man up, but rebounded with his first two strikeouts of the night.
In the bottom of the frame, Clemson’s offense reacted quickly. Purify opened the inning with a double off of the right field wall to put the Tigers in an immediate position to even the score. Left fielder Nate Savoie, the next batter up, capitalized quickly, singling up the middle.
Savoie was robbed of an RBI, though, as Purify was thrown out at home for the first out. Shortstop Tyler Lichtenberger and Jarrell made up for the miscue seconds later, however, notching a consecutive single and double to plate four runs.
With two outs in the second inning, McCladdie drew his second walk of the day, and stole second and third in the subsequent seconds. Savoie drew a walk of his own to put runners on the corners, and Gaffney drove in both on a two-RBI double. A Lichtenberger single scored Gaffney, and the Tigers took a 7-1 lead.
In the second, Clemson scored all three runs, two walks, and two hits with two outs.
One inning later, Jay Dillard, who made his second start this season after a 3-for-4 night against Michigan State Wednesday, shot a single deep into left field and advanced to second on an error. Purify sent Jack Crighton, who was on third, home on a single.
Then, McCladdie capped off the afternoon with his fifth homer of the year, scoring three runs and extending the lead 11-1. Right fielder Ty Dalley sent in one more run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth for another run.
Jarrell and Lichtenberger both scored in the sixth after La Salle walked the bases loaded to secure the final 14-1 score.
After the first inning in which he gave up three hits and a home run, Harrison was near-perfect in the rest of his four-frame appearance. The two way player finished with five strike outs, no walks, one hit-by-pitch, and no earned runs outside of the solo shot.
Lefty Justin Leguernic replaced Harrison in relief in the fifth, and closed out the rest of the abbreviated game for the Tigers. The junior struck out two and allowed one hit and no runs in three innings of work.
Jarrell, Lichtenberger, and Gaffney each finished with two RBI, as McCladdie led the way with three on his long ball. Lichtenberger and Gaffney both finished 2-for-2 with one free pass apiece, and McCladdie was 1-for-2 with two drawn walks.
Up Next
The Tigers will look to improve to 2-0 against the Explorers on Saturday, when Clemson will play the first game of a double header at noon. Coverage will be shown on ACC Network Extra.