Clemson look to continue its hot start on the baseball diamond this weekend, as the Tigers welcome UCF to town for a three game weekend series.
Clemson has won 13 consecutive home games dating to 2022, its longest such streak since starting the 2018 season with 14 straight.
• Who – UCF (3-1) vs. Clemson (4-0)
• When – Friday (4 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.), Sunday (1 p.m.)
• Where – Clemson, S.C. (Doug Kingsmore Stadium)
• Watch – ACC Network Extra
The Tigers swept Binghamton last weekend to open the season, then got by a determined Charlotte 49ers team in midweek action. UCF also swept its opening weekend series at home against Sienna, but dropped a midweek game to Florida Atlantic.
The two teams have not faced one another since 2008, and the last time they played in Clemson, UCF took two out of three back in 2004.
SERIES HISTORY
• Overall Record – Clemson leads 5-3 (1998-08)
• Record at Clemson – UCF leads 2-1 (2004)
Clemson’s four starting pitchers entered the year with a combined two career starts and have started out 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 18 strikeouts. As a staff, the Tigers have allowed just one extra base hit through the first four games.
Erik Bakich will go with the same starting rotation the Tigers opened the season with, as lefty Ryan Ammons gets the nod in the series opener. Ammons is coming off an impressive showing, striking out nine hitters in just five innings of work.
STARTING PITCHERS
• Friday – RHP Ruddy Gomez (UCF) vs. LHP Ryan Ammons (CU)
• Saturday – RHP Cameron Leiter (UCF) vs. RHP Austin Gordon (CU)
• Sunday – RHP Dom Stagliano (UCF) vs. RHP Jay Dill (CU)
At the plate, Clemson has been paced by Benjamin Blackwell. The fifth-year senior is leading the team with a .538 average and also has a team-high eight stolen bases. Freshman Cam Cannarella is also off to a hot start, hitting .500, with five RBI.
As a team, the Tigers are averaging 10.5 runs per game and hitting .345. Clemson has also stolen 21 bases already, after swiping just 32 total a season ago.
UCF, who has yet to play a road game, comes in averaging 9.5 runs per game. The Knights are hitting .312 and have a staff ERA of 4.76.
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