COLUMBIA, S.C._ Ethan Darden gave the Tigers a quality start and Will Taylor drove in three runs as Clemson knocked off College of Charleston 10-3 on Tuesday night at Segra Park. The win gives the Tigers a sweep of the two game series between the two teams this season.
In just his third career start, Darden pitched five strong innings, earning his first career win. He scattered seven hits, allowing just one run. The freshman struck out a career-high seven and walked just one.
"I was a little nervous, third start only, but I had my guys behind me," Darden said. "The coaches trust me and I am here to compete and do everything I can."
After the Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second, the Tigers bounced back in the top of the third, plating four runs. Taylor, along with Cam Cannarella, Cooper Inlge and Blake Wright all had RBI hits in the inning.
Taylor would drive in two more with a two-out bases loaded single in the fourth, giving Clemson a 6-1 advantage.
In the sixth, the Tigers would extend the lead to 8-1 on an RBI single by Cannarella, his second of the game, and an RBI triple by Caden Grice. In the ninth, Grice launched an opposite field home run to left, a solo shot, his sixth of the season.
"Offensively, just had a lot of quality at bats, a lot of hard contact," head coach Erik Bakich said. "We knew we were going to have to hit well coming in. All in all, just a good quality team win."
Clemson improves to 16-10 on the season, while the Cougars drop to 16-8.
Player of the Game: After missing the weekend series against Georgia Tech with an illness, Cannarella was back on Tuesday and looking like he never left. The freshman went 2-for-4 on the night, upping his average to .421 on the season. He drove in two runs and scored three. He also added a stolen base, his 16th of the season.
Stat of the Game: Coming up with the big hit has been a struggle at times this season for Clemson. However, Tigers' hitters were 6-of-13 with runners in scoring position, with five of those hits coming with two outs.
Key Moment: In the bottom of the sixth and having already plated two runs in the inning to cut the Tigers' lead to 8-3, College of Charleston had the bases loaded, with just one out. Clemson reliever Trevor Hoffman struck out two consecutive Cougars swinging to end the threat.
Up Next: Clemson returns home to face No. 2 Wake Forest on Thursday in the first of a three-game series. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
Want to join in on the discussion? 100% FREE! Interact with fellow Tiger fans and hear directly from publisher Zach Lentz, deputy editor Brad Senkiw, recruiting analyst Jason Priester and staff writer Will Vandervort on any subject. Click here to become a member of the ALL CLEMSON message board community today!
Do us a HUGE favor and like, subscribe and follow us on social media:
►LIKE us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allclemson
►SUBSCRIBE: https://www.youtube.com/c/AllClemson
►FOLLOW All Clemson on Twitter:https://twitter.com/All_Clemson