Cam Cannarella singled up the middle with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to score Jacob Hinderleider from second base, as No. 5 Clemson came all the way back from seven runs down to beat Louisville, 12-11, Friday at Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
Cannarella’s game-winning hit was the Tigers’ eighth unanswered run after giving giving up 10 in the Cardinals’ fourth. Louisville led 11-4 after the fourth inning.
Clemson (33-8, 14-5 ACC) slowly chipped away at the Cardinals’ lead by scoring two runs in the fifth inning, one each in the seventh and eighth and then four in the ninth inning. The Tigers finished the game with 16 hits.
Friday night marked the third time this season, Clemson rallied from seven or more runs down to win a game. The Tigers twice came-from-behind big deficits to beat Florida State last month, including an eight run ninth inning for a 9-8 victory in Clemson.
Friday’s win over the Cardinals was Clemson’s 19th come-from-behind victory this year.
Louisville scored 10 runs on five hits and a Clemson error in the fourth inning before the Tigers made their comeback.
The Tigers were led by Tristan Bissetta’s two hits and four RBI night, while Alden Mathis had three hits and drove in another run. Blake Wright, Jack Crighton, Jimmy Obertop and Cannarella also had two hits to help the Clemson cause.
Cannarella drove in two runs, while Mathis, Wright, Obertop and Crighton drove in single runs. Jacob Hinderleider also drove in a run.
Louisville was led by JT Benson and Eddie King., Jr., who each drove in two runs for the Cardinals.
Clemson’s nightmarish fourth in the field started after the Tigers produced four runs in the top half of the inning. However, the Cardinals’ brought their first six batters to the plate and scored four runs without recording an out.
Louisville (24-17, 9-10 ACC) got a two-run double from Benson, an RBI single from Gavin Klein and then a two-run single from Eddie King, Jr. To add insult to injury, the Cardinals last three runs of the inning came off wild pitches.
Speaking of injuries, Clemson starter Tristan Smith left the game with no outs in the bottom of the four after he hit a batter and then walked the second one following a visit to the mound from the athletic trainer. He left the game after walking the batter.
No word on what the extent of Smith’s injury is.
Trailing 1-0 heading into the fourth inning, the Tigers got RBI singles from Crighton and Bissetta to take a 2-1 lead. They extended the lead to 4-1 when Mathes singled to centerfield to score Crighton and later scored on a throwing error after stealing second base.
After the Cardinals’ 10-run fourth, Clemson started its rally in the top of the fifth inning as Bissetta singled with two outs to right field to plate Wright and Obertop.
Down five runs, 11-6, Bissetta drove in one of his four runs with a fielder’s choice in the seventh. Cannarella then singled to centerfield with one out in the eighth inning to make it an 11-8 game going into the ninth.
In the top of the ninth, the Tigers scored four runs on five hits to complete the comeback. Hinderleider singled up the middle to drive in the first run, scoring Bissetta.
With the score 11-9 with one out, Wright flew out to right field to plate Nolan Nawrocki, before Obertop’s two-out hit to centerfield scored Mathes with the tying run. That setup Cannarella’s hit through the right side to score Hinderleider with the game winner.
Austin Gordon came on in the bottom of ninth inning to record his seven save in eight attempts this season. Gordon got some help from Mathes in rightfield, as he made an unbelievable catch of an Alex Alicea flyball and then doubled up Michael Lippe, who was pinch running for Klein.
Benson then lined out to Hinderleider at short to end the game.
Matthew Marchal came on in the fifth inning to earn the win. He pitched four scoreless innings in relief to improve to 5-0 this season.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will attempt to take the series in Game 2 on Saturday against Louisville. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
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