CLEMSON — Clemson pounded out 17 hits, and Ethan Darden had another quality start as the No. 11 Tigers run-ruled Davidson 14-4 in seven innings on Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Ty Marshall’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh gave the Tigers the walk-off win.

The victory was Clemson’s 12th straight and clinched the weekend series for the Tigers. It was also Erik Bakich’s 500th career-win.

Josh Paino led the way, going 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI. He also scored three runs.

Jack Crighton stayed hot, collecting three more hits in the win and driving in three. Andrew Ciufo, Jarren Purify, and Dominic Listi each finished with two RBI. Eight of the nine players in the starting lineup reached base at least once.

The Tigers (14-1) also got another solid start from Darden, as the lefty went five innings, allowing two runs on two hits. He struck out five and walked three, moving to 3-0 on the season.

Nathan Dvorsky relieved Darden and allowed two runs over the final two innings.

Clemson wasted no time getting the offense going, pushing across three runs in the bottom of the second. Ciufo got it started with a run-scoring double into left field. Dominic Listi drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, and Purify followed that up with an RBI single, giving the Tigers an early 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats would come right back in the top of the third, getting a two-out, two-run triple by Jamie Daly to cut the lead to 3-2.

Clemson kept the pressure on in the bottom half of the frame, with Josh Paino ripping a one-out RBI double down the third base line. A walk to Jacob Jarrell would load the bases, and Jack Crighton’s bloop single to right would drive in the second run of the inning. Ciufo followed that up with an RBI single, and Listi then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 7-2 Tigers.

In the bottom of the fourth, Paino launched a three-run shot out to left, making it 10-2 Clemson. It was Paino’s third home run of the season.

Purify would a solo shot in the fifth, his third of the season and second of the weekend, followed by a two-run single by Crighton that gave the Tigers a 13-2 lead.

The Wildcats got a solo home run from Jack Cotrone, his third of the season, in the top of the sixth, cutting Clemson’s lead to 13-3.

Davidson’s Gavin Thomas hit a pinch hit solo shot out to right-center in the top of the seventh, making it 13-4.

Up Next

Clemson goes for the sweep tomorrow, as these same two teams will face off in the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.