Davidson creates the spark as Tigers hope to ride momentum into Louisville

Davidson had a big two-out hit early to help spark the Tigers

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sun May 21 08:01:02 GMT-04:00 2017

Clemson’s two-out offense might be getting hot at just the right time.

Behind 15 hits, five runs in the third inning and six runs in the seventh inning, No. 12 Clemson defeated NC State 15-6 at Doak Field in Raleigh on Saturday afternoon. Next up for the Tigers is the ACC Baseball Championship at Louisville’s Slugger Field from Tuesday to Sunday. The Tigers' first game is Tuesday or Wednesday against Duke on RSN and ACC Network Extra.

Six of Clemson’s starters had at least nine hits, but more important for Clemson’s confidence is that fact that the Tigers blew the game open with a six-run seventh inning. All six runs scored with two out, an area where the Tigers struggled during a nine-game conference losing streak.

“It’s good to end the regular season with a win and hopefully, we can get some good vibes in the dugout going into the conference tournament,” head coach Monte Lee said.

One of Clemson’s veteran players credited a freshman with the newfound attitude.

“I’ve got to give credit to Logan Davidson for the mentality we had today,” Reed Rohlman said of the freshman shortstop. “He came up with a guy on second and smoked one to right that really got things started. After that, I could feel something different in the dugout with the vibes. Everyone was upbeat and positive because that’s been our struggle as of late. I think that was big for him to be that guy to get that two-out hit.”

Rohlman said the Tigers hope to ride that momentum into the ACC tourney.

“The whole game, this is a great spark heading into the ACC Tournament,” he said. “The bats came on fire and we pitched a great game. I couldn’t ask for a better way to end the regular season and head into the postseason.”

Catcher Chris Williams had a three-run homer as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury suffered two weekends ago. Williams hasn’t caught since that injury but hopes to be back behind the plate in Louisville.

Williams said the Tigers had to remember how to have fun.

“The main thing was just to have fun with the game,” Williams said. “Baseball is a game that you have to have fun with because if you don’t it will really beat you down. That was our main focus today and I think you really saw it in our dugout. We came out with a lot of energy and our guys were all into the game.”