CLEMSON – The Clemson Insider takes a deep dive into Clemson’s ACC opponents for the 2025 college baseball season.

Louisville is led by head coach Dan McDonnell. The Cardinals posted a 32-24 record in 2024, including a 16-14 mark in the ACC.

Clemson will host the Cardinals for a three-game series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson April 17-19.

STRENGTHS:

The Louisville coaching staff holds this pitching staff to the highest level since their 2020 campaign. They have a ton of potential upside, a very athletics group that is loaded with strength and speed. The defense should be a major strength, anchored by the middle infield thanks to standouts Matt Klein, catcher, Alex Alicea, shortstop and Lucas Moore, centerfielder.

QUESTION MARKS

The electric combination of Patrick Forbes, Parker Detmers, and Brennyn Cutts could possibly be the most impressive starting rotation in the ACC this season, but neither Forbes nor Detmers were able to get through the 30 inning mark in 2024. Senior transfer Cutts seems to be the glue guy for this staff coming off a season where he was the ace for Indiana State.

Overall, as a team Louisville lost 64 percent of their plate appearances, so a lot has to be done to create the production that the Cardinals saw offensively in 2024.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Louisville missed out on the 2024 NCAA Tournament after going 16-14 in the ACC. This year’s team looks stronger starting off with a trip to Globe Life to take on Texas, Oklahoma State, and Arizona, which is going to give an immediate boost to the RPI.

Tague Davis, a high-profile freshman, has an advanced approach from the left side of the plate. Offensively, the two transfers are Jake Munroe (JUCO) and Toledo transfer Garret Pike, who are likely to be counted upon to replace some thump from last season’s lineup.

–photo by Jeff Faughender /  USA TODAY NETWORK