Opening Day Domination by the Tigers over Xavier

Clemson returns to action for the first time of the 2024 season after a successful but disappointing ending to the 2023 season. Last year the Tigers won their 16th ACC championship but lost in the first round where they hosted a regional matchup. Their opponent for the season debut is Xavier. While some consider them a mid-major school, every year they put together a talented baseball squad and spend more years making it to regionals than not. Opening weekend should be an exciting one to begin this baseball season. 

The first inning of game 1 opened up to a rocky start with Billy Barlow allowing 2 runs on a couple hits and hitting one batter in the face. But the Tigers responded fast by putting up 7 runs in the first inning. 

Billy Barlow ended up calming down and finished with 5 innings pitched, 2 runs, 3 hits, and 3 strikeouts. Drew Titsworth, the freshmen from Michigan, came into to relieve Billy in the 6th and ended with a promising debut stat line of: 2-2/3 innings, 3 strikeouts, 1 hit, and no runs. Rocco Reid came in with 2 outs in the top of the 8th. Rocco finsihed off a great performance for the Tigers going 1-1/3 with 3 strikeouts, 2 walks, and 1 run. 

The Clemson offense could not have asked for much more from their team. Some concerns were present considering the Tigers only brought back around 1/3 of their runs scored from last year with players leaving due to graduation, transfer, and the draft. 

But, this team left no doubt about their offensive potential as they ended up scoring 14 on Xavier. Clemson opened their season with 5 new faces in the starting line up, a mix of transfers and freshmen, and all 5 reached base in at least their first 2 at bats. 

Aiden Mathes, gr. transfer from Richmond, could not have asked for a better debut as his first at bat was a grandslam to right center. He ended up going 1-2 with 3 walks, 2 runs and 4 RBI's. 

Freshen Cooper Blauser had a solid debut as well. In his second at bat he hit a long solo home run. As a DH, he went 1-3 with a walk and 2 runs.

Cam Cannarella, the returning sophomore had a great day as well batting in the lead off spot. 3-4 with a double and a run. 

Nolan Nawrocki, freshman from New York, started off his career with the Tigers going 2-4 with a grand slam and 2 runs scored. 

In the post game press conference we got to hear from Billy Barlow, Aiden Mathes, and Coach Bakich. Coach Bakich talked about how the first inning "couldn't have gone better" where we started the game rocky with an error, passed ball, and 2 ugly runs scored where it could have been much worse. And then to follow that up with a great bottom of the first with 7 runs scored. Bakich talked about how that is the mentality of this team...resilient and mentally tough. 

Bakich then talked about how a huge reason Clemson has such a stunning offense is due to the talent on their pitching roster. He stated that between machines and Clemson pitching, the hitters have faced as tough of competition as they will face in their scrimmages and practiced. 

Billy Barlow credited the great offense by the Tigers to give him the confidence to cool down and settle in after the first inning. 

Mathes bragged on the teams ability to not chase out of the zone and team mentality to stay focused and disciplines.

You can tell that Mathes is glad to be a Tiger! "A moment that I'll remember for the rest of my life" when asked about his first career at-bat as a Tiger going for a grand-slam.

Overall a very encouraging debut to our 127th Clemson baseball team. Every Tiger that started recorded at least 1 hit and 1 run in the game for a final score of 14-3. The Tigers return to action Saturday, February 17th at 2:00 pm in game 2 of 3 against Xavier.