CLEMSON — Five different Clemson players recorded both RBIs and hits in No. 14 Clemson’s 6-2 takedown of VCU in its home opener Friday.

In the first game of the Clemson Baseball Invitational at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, the Tigers showcased their depth and plate discipline against the Rams, scoring six runs and drawing as many walks in the victory. 

The Tigers (3-1) got their offensive momentum going in the second inning, as a left field single from Tristan Bissetta bulleted past the shortstop and put two runners on base with no outs. 

One at-bat later, a double down the left field line courtesy of Jack Crighton, in his first start of the season, scored catcher Jacob Jarrell. Another RBI came one batter later, as Jarren Purify launched a sac fly with a 103 mph exit velocity to center field to score Bissetta, resulting in an early 2-0 lead. 

Though Purify technically finished 0-of-1 on the day, his production was crucial to the Tigers’ win. The sophomore second basemen drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, and stole a base. His ability to get and stay on base lined him up to score two of the Tigers’ six runs, including the last Clemson run scored in the sixth.

The Rams (1-4) retaliated in the top of the third when shortstop Nick April-Gath singled and reached second base on a throwing error by first baseman Luke Gaffney. Second baseman Flores punched him home for the first VCU run of the day. One inning later, first baseman Sean Swenson launched a solo-shot home run out of the park to make the score 3-2.

Swenson’s homer marked the last time any Ram rounded the bases Friday afternoon.

The Tigers quickly struck back in the bottom of the fourth inning, drawing two walks to start the inning and adding two RBIs thanks to a smoked right field double by Dominic Listi and a sacrifice ground out from Luke Gaffney.

Listi finished his day 1-for-2, recording his eighth RBI of the young season. He also drew a walk and a hit-by-pitch to maintain the highest on-base percentage on the team throughout four performances. In the sixth, he popped a sac fly to advance Purify to third.

After four games, Listi leads Clemson with a .500 batting average.

Listi and third baseman Josh Paino were also responsible for diving catches that forced the third out in two separate innings.

Right-hander Aidan Knaak got the start and earned the win for the Tigers and struck out eight batters in five innings of work. The sophomore gave up two runs, including a solo-shot out of the park, on only three hits. He also hit Swenson in the head with a pitch in the second inning and walked two others. The hurler reached a season high 87 pitches before being relieved by Drew Titsworth in the sixth.

Titsworth sat down a career- high five batters and allowed two hits and no runs in three innings of work.

Lefty Cade Dressler got the nod for the Rams and gave up three runs on three hits in three innings of work. After the VCU veteran exited the game, relievers Hoeymans, Peters, and Coston collectively struck out five and allowed three runs on two hits over six innings. 

Clemson has two more opportunities to keep the momentum rolling and secure two more wins in the Clemson Invitational Saturday, when Tigers  take on North Carolina A&T and VCU at noon and 4 p.m., respectively.