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Clemson Baseball Falls to Kentucky, Ends Memorable Season Short of Goal

The Tigers' season came to a close today after a loss in a do-or-die situation against the Kentucky Wildcats with a final score of 16-4.
Maddy Dickens|
Clemson Head Coach Erik Bakich during the middle of the fourth inning at the NCAA baseball Clemson Regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Clemson Head Coach Erik Bakich during the middle of the fourth inning at the NCAA baseball Clemson Regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Saturday, May 31, 2025. | Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Following a loss yesterday to the West Virginia Mountaineers, the Clemson Tigers baseball team was in a win-or-go-home situation in the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers' tough loss to the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday brought their hard-fought season to a close. 

The Wildcats won the game, 16-4, setting up a game with West Virginia. If the Mountaineers win Sunday night, they will advance to super regionals against the winner of the LSU regional. If Kentucky wins, the two teams will play again on Monday.

It was going to be a tough road for Clemson after the loss to WVU. The Wildcats made forcing another game impossible for the Tigers.

After the first inning the Tigers and Wildcats were tied, 2-2. In the third inning, things started to fall apart for Clemson.

The Wildcats had five players cross home plate to take a 7-2 lead, helped by Clemson defensive mistakes.

The fourth inning proved worse for Clemson. Even with a run scored in the top of the frame, the Tigers allowed six more runs to Kentucky, with Clemson's leaky defense playing a big role, as the Wildcats took a commanding 13-3 lead going into the fifth.  

The Wildcats slowed down offensively after the fifth inning, but the damage was one. Clemson scored just one more run. The only Tiger to have multiple hits was second baseman Jarren Purify. 

Clemson started Talan Ball on the mound, but he quickly gave way to relievers B.J. Bailey and Chance Fitzgerald. Each completed fewer than three innings. Clemson used six pitchers and the Tigers only struck out three hittters. They allowed 13 hits.

Kentucky's Nate Harris was the starter, threw six innings and struck out seven. The Wildcats used Evan Byers, Nile Adcock, and Leighton Harris for an inning each in relief and combined they only allowed one run and three hits.

Wildcats right fielder Ryan Schwartz made a huge impact at the plate, as he went 2-for-4 with four RBI to lead the Kentucky offense.

While the Tigers were strong all year at home (27-9) this was just not their weekend. Clemson closed out a strong season with a 45-18 record. But, given that the Tigers were at one time the No. 3 team in the nation, falling short of super regionals — which they reached last year — will sting the program for some time.

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Maddy Dickens
MADDY DICKENS

Maddy Dickens is a professional barrel racer, with success at all levels of rodeo and competition. She was a reserve National Collegiate Champion at Tarleton State University where she graduated with honors and a Masters in Business Management. She also competed as part of the Mountain States Circuit where she was Rookie of the Year and a 2x qualifier for finals. Maddy resides in Loveland, Colo. She spends most of her free time, riding, training and competing in barrel racing. When she is not on a horse or in the arena, she enjoys following collegiate and professional basketball and football, traveling, and is always up for a “friendly” competition.

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