BERKELEY, CALIF. – Clemson’s baseball team dominated California with a 13-3 victory at Stu Gordon Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers had an explosive start, scoring six runs in the first inning and following it up with seven runs in the second inning. This win marked their second consecutive victory in the series, bringing their overall record to 29-5 and their conference record to 8-3 in the ACC. On the other hand, California fell to 16-14 overall and 6-8 in ACC play.
Clemson displayed an impressive offensive performance, hitting three home runs in the first inning alone to establish a commanding 6-0 lead. Collin Priest’s grand slam, along with solo homers by Jacob Jarrell and Josh Paino, set the tone for the Tigers. The team continued their offensive prowess in the second inning, scoring seven more runs to extend their lead to 13-0. Highlights included run-scoring doubles by Cam Cannarella and Priest, as well as Andrew Ciufo’s three-run homer.
Despite a strong effort by California to rally back, with runs scored in the second, fifth, and sixth innings, they ultimately fell short in the face of Clemson’s dominant performance. Tiger starter Ethan Darden, who pitched 6.0 innings, secured the win with a solid performance on the mound. In contrast, California starter Gavin Eddy struggled, giving up six runs in just 1.0 innings of work.
The impressive display by Clemson’s offense, totaling 15 hits and four home runs, showcased their offensive firepower and ability to capitalize on opportunities. With the series set to conclude the following day, both teams are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting finale on ACC Network Extra.