CLEMSON —Clemson loaded the bases in the first and second innings Friday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium but scored just two runs. The Tigers’ inability to push those runs across came back to haunt them in a 10-4 loss to Notre Dame.
In all, Clemson left 11 runners stranded and were just 2-of-9 with runners in scoring position.
The Irish (18-13. 8-8 ACC) plated six runs on five hits and one Clemson error in the third inning, while TJ Williams hit a two-run blast to left field in the top of the fifth inning. They added two more runs in the top of the eighth inning to extend their lead to 10-3 at the time.
Clemson (20-15, 4-9 ACC) got RBIs from Cooper Ingle and Will Taylor in the bottom of the second and then another from Blake Wright in the seventh inning. Cam Cannarella recorded an RBI in the eighth inning following a triple from Benjamin Blackwell.
Stat of the Game: Notre Dame was 4-for-4 with the bases loaded, three of those hits coming in the deceive third inning.
Player of the Game: Clemson’s Benjamin Blackwell was 2-for-4 with a triple and scored two runs.
Key Moment: After the Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning, Notre Dame answered with a six-run inning in the top of third. The Irish ran off Clemson starter Ethan Darden with five of those runs on three hits. There was a little controversy when Notre Dame’s Brooks Coetzee ran into third base coach Logan Robbins on a pickoff throw to third base that got away from Clemson catcher Jacob Jarrell. Vinny Martnez also collided with Robbins trying to score but had to get back to third base. Clemson head coach Erik Bakich argued both runners should have been called out after coming into contact with the third base coach, but home plate Umpire Greg Street did not overturn the call after a lengthy conversation with Bakich.
Bakich tossed: Clemson head coach Erik Bakich was tossed from the game in the bottom of the third inning following a warning from home plate umpire Greg Street. Bakich got heated when designated hitter Billy Amick was hit on his right wrist by Notre Dame pitcher Jackson Dennies. Street called the ball a foul ball causing Bakich to come out of the dugout. Bakich called for a review, but Street upheld his call on the field after reviewing the play, which Bakich did not agree with. Bakich was warned about his outburst and went back to the dugout.
However, things escalated when Amick lost control of the bat while swinging at the next pitch. Bakich returned to the field to exam Amick’s wrist. He called for the trainer and while waiting for the trainer to come out, Bakich said something to Street that the umpire did not like. Street tossed Bakich from the game, causing the Clemson coach to say a few more words before first base umpire Joseph Blumenauer came between the two and escorted Bakich off the field.
Up Next: Clemson will play the Irish in Game 2 at 4 p.m. Saturday. Clemson is asking fans to please get to the stadium by 3:40 p.m., as former Clemson head coach Jack Leggett will have his No. 7 retired.
