CLEMSON – The Clemson Insider continues its dive into Clemson’s Atlantic Coast Conference opponents for the 2024 season.
The seventh weekend set in ACC play will be against the Louisville Cardinals. The Tigers will head up to Louisville, Ky., during the weekend of April 26-28
COACHING
Head Coach Dan McDonnell in his 18th season at the helm of the Louisville Cardinals is one of the most well respected and tenured in the game. He is 3rd nationally in total wins since being hired in 2007 while making five College World Series appearances, nine NCAA Super Regional Appearances, and 10 Regular Season Conference Championships.
ABOUT THE CARDINALS
The Louisville Cardinals finished the season 31-24 (10-20 ACC, 6th Atlantic Division) while failing to make the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament as well as a NCAA Regional. The Cardinals are looking to have a bounce back season in 2024 with the addition of some news faces and growth in their returners Coach McDonnell looks to take them back to the top.
PITCHING STAFF
Louisville hit the portal hard this offseason and those transfers are looking to man the weekend rotation and prove to be beneficial for their staff. Junior Wright State transfer Sebastian Gongora is lefty that threw 176.1 innings in two seasons for the Raiders, in 2022 he had a 5.88 ERA in 82.2 innings, but his ERA dropped to 3.17 in 2023. Fifth year transfer Jake Karaba works with an over-the-top delivery that produces a low 90’s fastball that generated 119 K’s in 66.2 innings last season.
Kaleb Corbett is the favorite to get the nod as the closer for the Cardinals to start the season with a mid 90’s fastball and a cutter that sits 85-89 helps him be an unhittable force in the backend of ballgames.
POSTION PLAYERS
The depth is seen most obviously in the outfield. Isaac Humphrey, JT Benson and Eddie King, Jr. are established Cardinals. Humphrey is looking to recapture the form that he showed two seasons ago, when he batted .328/.458/.490. JT Benson was limited to DH’ing the fall due to an injury, but they are expected to see him in full action as the season approaches.
Zion Rose, a top-50 high school prospect is Louisville’s most exciting first year player, his 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame is looking to make an impact this season whether it is catching or grazing in the outfield.