Clemson Baseball still believes after Game 1 loss to Florida

Clemson Baseball began their first Super Regional in over a decade on Saturday, but the outcome of Game 1 didn’t fall their way. The Tigers lost to the Florida Gators 10-7 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the first of a three-game series to determine which team will advance to the College World Series.

Clemson’s starting pitcher Tristan Smith held the Gators scoreless through the first two innings. The Tigers’ bats weren’t cooking in the 1st inning but Florida starting pitcher Liam Peterson allowed two runs to cross the plate with walks and a wild pitch.

Following a triple from Jarren Purify in the 2nd inning, another wild pitch allowed Purify to take home. Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan elected to make a pitching change, sending Fisher Jameson to the mound.

Florida registered their first run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 3rd, but Clemson quickly answered it with a Jimmy Obertop home run in the bottom of the 3rd. Clemson held a 4-1 lead at the end of the inning.

The Gators’ Tyler Shelnut had a single home run in the top of the 4th that Cam Cannarella couldn’t quite snag against the wall. Cannarella did snag a bomb shortly after that to end the 4th with a 4-2 Tigers lead.

Florida took the lead in the 5th inning with a three-run homer by Jac Caglianone. That started a nightmare inning for the Tigers that ended with the Gators taking a 9-4 lead.

Tristan Bissetta cranked a home run in the bottom of the 5th to add a run. The Tigers got two more across in the sixth to close the gap to 9-7. They seemed to have the makings of another comeback, but Florida extended the lead to 10-7 with another home run in the 9th inning.

While a loss in Game 1 is disheartening for fans, head coach Erik Bakich is keeping things in perspective.

"When I was here '02, we lost the first game in the super regional to Arkansas. In 2010, the program lost the first game with Coach (Jack) Leggett to Alabama, so we're still alive."

- Erik Bakich

If there was ever a team that personified that belief that is isn’t over until it’s over, it would be this 2024 Clemson Baseball team. They have over two dozen come-from-behind victories this season. The players have trust in themselves and each other.

"I'd say our confidence isn't altered at all. Obviously, it hurts a little bit to lose Game 1, but there's no doubt in our minds that we're going out there tomorrow and winning Game 2."

- Alden Mathes

"I'd say our confidence isn't altered at all," he said. "Obviously, it hurts a little bit to lose Game 1, but there's no doubt in our minds that we're going out there tomorrow and winning Game 2."

Game 2 begins today at DKS at 2:30 PM Eastern. Aidan Knaak takes the mound for the Tigers while Caglianone (one of the better two-way players in college baseball) will start for the Gators.