In a thrilling matchup at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, No. 23 West Virginia clinched a 9-6 victory over No. 11 Clemson in the Clemson Regional on Saturday night. This win brings West Virginia’s impressive record to 43-14, while Clemson’s falls to 45-17.
The Mountaineers started strong, taking an early 3-0 lead in the first inning with three hits. They extended their advantage to 4-0 in the fifth inning, thanks to a run scored by Logan Sauve. However, Clemson responded fiercely. In the sixth inning, with Cam Cannarella extending his hitting streak to 21 games, he launched a two-run homer, contributing to the Tigers tying the game at 4-4 with a series of effective hits, including a double from Jack Crighton and a sacrifice fly from Jacob Jarrell.
Clemson briefly took the lead in the seventh inning through Cannarella’s double, but West Virginia was not to be outdone. In a dramatic eighth inning, Armani Guzman hit a crucial single to level the score again. The game turned decisively in the ninth when Sam White hit a double with two outs, bringing in the go-ahead run for the Mountaineers. West Virginia added additional runs with a single by Ben Lumsden and two hit-by-pitches, further solidifying their lead.
Chase Meyer secured the win for West Virginia, improving his record to 9-2, while Ben McDougal recorded his second save by retiring the final batter. On the other hand, Lucas Mahlstedt was tagged with the loss for Clemson.
Looking ahead, Clemson will compete against Kentucky on Sunday at noon in an elimination game, hoping to bounce back from this setback as they aim to keep their postseason dreams alive.
This match showcased the high stakes and intense competition of collegiate baseball, reflecting the resilience and skill of both teams involved.