CLEMSON — For eight and two thirds of Saturday’s Game 4 of the Clemson Regional, the Clemson baseball team was right where they wanted to be.
The Tigers, the No. 4 overall seed, was a strike away from advancing to the championship round of the regional. It would have marked the first time since the 2011 season they started an NCAA Regional 2-0.
It was there for the taking, but then Ryan Ammons left his fastball hanging and Tennessee’s Zane Denton took the 2-2 pitch to left field for a three-run homer. Just like that, Clemson went from winning the game to a possible loss.
The Tigers (44-18) tied the game and sent it into extra innings in the bottom of the ninth when Cam Cannarella smashed a two-out double to right field, scoring Blake Wright.
It appeared Clemson had the game won in the 10th inning when Benjamin Blackwell hit into a fielder’s choice at second with one out and the bases loaded. The shortstop appeared to have beat the 4-6-3 relay for the double play, allowing Caden Grice to come home with the apparent game-winner.
Again, they were wrong. Replay overturned the call on the field and Blackwell was called out at first base. No run. No win.
Finally, in the top of the 14th the Volunteers Hunter Ensley doubled to right centerfield with one out, easily scoring Maui Ahuna for the eventual game-winner and 6-5 victory at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
“As much as we want to stay balanced, it was an emotional rollercoaster,” Clemson second baseman Riley Bertram said. “We even rushed the field at one point, and it had to go back to review. So, it stings. The guys were beat up for a second about it, but we are not going to come tomorrow and lay an egg. It could be some of the guys on our team’s last game.”
It could be, and to be honest, it is hard to imagine anything else.
The Tigers will play Charlotte at noon today in the elimination game, as they try to salvage their season a few hours longer or into Monday.
Yes, Clemson can win the Charlotte game, but it is not going to be easy.
First off, the 49ers are probably thrilled to see the Tigers have to play 14 innings. They are thrilled that Clemson had to use nine pitchers, despite Grice throwing 8 2/3 innings of almost flawless baseball.
Clemson coach Erik Bakich was not even sure who they were going to start against Charlotte and how they were going to use the bullpen, especially if they can find a way to get to Game 6 of the regional.
But perhaps the biggest obstacle of them all is the fact the Tigers will be without Cannarella. Clemson’s best hitter was ejected in the 13th inning after mouthing off at Denton as the two players came off the field following the inning-ending double play.
Per NCAA rules, Cannarella has to sit the following game after an ejection.
“I didn’t see what happened,” Bakich said. “I didn’t see it. Our guys did not know what was going on either. But the explanation was, something he said was directed towards the other team, so they ejected him for it.
“I did not see it. I did not hear it. Not many people heard it or saw it. I don’t know. I know everyone was excited and screaming and yelling. I thought they were yelling and screaming and excited for each other, but that is the rule. I understand the rule and I am all for sportsmanship, but I did not hear what Cam said, and I asked our guys, and they did not hear it either.”
Regardless, Clemson will not have Cannarella’s .388 batting average. He was 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles and four RBIs against the Vols.
But he is one less batter Charlotte has to worry about.
“He is good. He is a sparkplug at the top,” Bakich said. “He is one of the main reasons we are where we are. So, someone is going to have to step up and fill that spot. Probably Nathan Hall. He can play a decent centerfield. Someone will have to pick Cam up.
“Our guys will respond.”
They’re going to have to, or their season is going to be over.
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