Clemson Sweeps California for 30th Win of the Season

Luke Gaffney stands up to bat vs. Cal on Sunday, April 6, 2025 in Berkeley, California. (Photo Courtesy of Brian Hennessy/Clemson Athletics)

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the California Golden Bears looking for the sweep of the three-game set. The Golden Bears took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Luke Gaffney's seventh-inning sacrifice fly was able to give Clemson a 4-3 win and a sweep over California. Drew Titsworth picked up the win for the Tigers, his second of the season. Cole Tremain picked up the loss for the Golden Bears, allowing one run in 2.1 innings pitched. Lucas Mahlstedt was awarded the save, his eleventh of the season, which leads college baseball.

Alex Birge Puts California On the Board First

Oliver de la Torre started the day off perfectly for California, putting the Clemson lineup down 1-2-3 in the top of the first inning to give the Golden Bears a chance to take an early lead. The Bears did just that with their catcher Alex Birge sending a BJ Bailey breaking ball the other way and over the right-center field wall to put California up 1-0. That home run was the Redshirt Junior's eighth of the year and just the third earned run that Bailey allowed all season.

Slow Start for Clemson Bats

Through the first three innings of today's game, the Tigers bats were unusually quiet as they were held scoreless by Oliver de la Torre. Clemson could only muster up one hit and two walks while being struck out six times by the California Sunday starter. The Tigers had similar struggles on Friday, as it took them until Dominic Listi's solo home run in the top of the sixth inning to get them on the board.

Tristan Bissetta Gives Clemson the Lead

The Tigers' offense finally got going in the top of the fourth inning as they were able to take their first lead of the day after a slow start. The fourth inning started slow for Clemson as Luke Gaffney and Collin Priest popped out and grounded, respectively. But Jacob Jarrell was able to register the Tigers' second hit of the day as his single kept the inning alive to bring up the pinch-hitter Tristan Bissetta. The South Carolina native didn't miss a stitch on that ball, sending it 402 feet and 112 miles per hour over the right-center field wall to give Clemson a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Two-Out Rally Extends Clemson's Lead

Clemson once again scored off a two-out rally in the top of the fifth inning to give themselves a two-run cushion. The inning started with a Dominic Listi strikeout and a groundout by Jarren Purify to bring up the dangerous Cam Cannarella with two outs and nobody on. The Tigers center fielder reached on a walk and stole second base to put a runner in scoring position for the red-hot Luke Gaffney. The Sophomore transfer from Purdue continued his hot stretch, bringing home Cannarella on a two-out RBI single to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead in the fifth.

California Ties the Score in the Sixth, Clemson Takes the Lead Back in the Seventh

The Golden Bears got two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to knot the score up at three apiece. The inning started with a leadoff single by Cade Campbell and a one-out single by Jacob French, forcing Erik Bakich to go to his bullpen and bring Drew Titsworth in to get out of the jam. The Tigers' reliable righty out of the pen could not come through with a clean inning as a groundout by PJ Moutzouridis moved the runners over to second and third with one away to bring up Max Handron. Before Handron could swing the bat, the Golden Bears had already scored, as Titsworth's wild pitch brought Campbell home. But California wasn't done there as Handron's RBI single into left field brought home Jacob French to tie the ballgame up at three. Clemson was able to take the lead back with some timely small ball as Jarren Purify reached on a hit by pitch and then stole second base. The Tigers star Cam Cannarella moved Purify to third with a groundout to the right side, allowing Purify to score on Luke Gaffney's sacrifice fly and give Clemson a 4-3 lead heading into the seventh-inning stretch, and that is where the score stood through the duration of the game, securing a Tigers win.

Takeaways

● Tristan Bissetta - Although he didn't start this game, Tristan Bissetta was a key part to the Tigers win over the Golden Bears. The Redshirt Junior went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run, a walk, and a hit by pitch. Bissetta's 402-foot home run brought the Clemson bats to life, giving the Tigers a 2-1 lead and just their third hit of the day in the top of the fourth inning.

● Bullpen - The Clemson Tigers back-end relievers were terrific again as Reed Garris and Lucas Mahlstedt nailed the door shut on California to clinch the sweep. After today's game, Garris and Mahlstedt lowered their ERAs to 1.00 and 1.01, respectively, showcasing their dominance.

● Up Next: The Clemson Tigers will face off against the Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 9, at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.