The Clemson Insider looks back at Clemson’s 6-5 series-clinching win over Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

What happened?

The Tigers (11-3, 2-0 ACC) wasted no time getting on the board with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Chase Pinder led off with a double and came in to score on a Reed Rohlman RBI single. Seth Beer singled and Chris Williams walked to load the bases before Andrew Cox hit a sac fly to make it 2-0. A passed ball scored another run and the final run came in to score as Weston Jackson beat out a potential double play ball. The Fighting Irish (3-10, 0-2) cut into the lead in the second to make it 4-1, but Clemson answered with a run in the bottom of the frame on a RBI groundout from Williams. Notre Dame again scored a single run in the third before a three-run fifth inning tied the game at 5-5. The Tigers rallied in the bottom of the fifth as three straight leadoff walks loaded the bases and Pinder hit a one-out sac fly to give Clemson a 6-5 lead. Brooks Crawford came in and did the rest as the Tigers picked up the series win.

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changed in the fifth inning. After the Irish tied the game at 5-5, Crawford entered with one out and the go-ahead run on second. He got the first guy he faced to pop up and picked up a strikeout to end the threat. Clemson would regain the lead in the bottom of the frame and Crawford earned his third win of the year with 4.2 scoreless innings.

What went right?

Crawford shined out of the bullpen, allowing no runs on two hits in 4.2 innings. Pinder had a team-high two hits to pace the Tigers seven-hit attack. Clemson drew nine freebies in the contest with seven walks and two HBPs.

What went wrong?

Despite the early success, the offense again struggled as the Tigers were outhit 11-7 and Clemson stranded nine runners. Pat Krall again did not have his best stuff, as he allowed five runs (four earned) on nine hits in 4.1 innings.