
Clemson falls in latest polls after tough losses to ACC rival Florida State
Clemson falls in latest polls after tough losses to ACC rival Florida State
For the second straight weekend, Clemson baseball couldn't finish off an ACC series win—and it's starting to show in the rankings.
After falling in two of three games at No. 5 Florida State, the Tigers dropped six spots to No. 9 in the D1Baseball Top 25. They also slipped to No. 12 in Baseball America's rankings and No. 10 in Perfect Game's latest update.
The Tigers looked poised to take the opener in Tallahassee, holding a 4-2 lead with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. But the Seminoles rallied twice—once to force extras and again in the tenth to tie—before walking it off in the 11th. Clemson bounced back with a 6-3 win in game two behind late offense and strong bullpen work from Chance Fitzgerald and Reed Garris. But Sunday's finale quickly got away from them as FSU exploded for 20 runs on 21 hits in an eight-inning mercy-rule win.
Baseball America called Friday's loss 'particularly hard to swallow,' noting how close Clemson came to stealing the opener. The Tigers briefly cut into a 10-0 hole on Sunday, but couldn't keep pace with one of the nation's hottest lineups.
Florida State's performance vaulted them five spots to No. 2 in the D1Baseball rankings. Meanwhile, Clemson has now lost back-to-back ACC series for the first time under Erik Bakich and just the second time since he took over in 2023. Last weekend, the Tigers were swept by NC State in Raleigh. The Wolfpack also fell in the rankings, down three spots to No. 16 after a midweek loss to UNC-Wilmington and two weekend losses at Miami. Their series finale was washed out.
The road doesn't get any easier for Clemson. They'll face another top-10 opponent Tuesday when they travel to Coastal Carolina, currently ranked as high as No. 8 (6 p.m., ESPN+).
Statistically, Clemson's offensive production has cooled. They rank 12th in the ACC in slugging percentage (.445) and 14th in batting average (.273), while sitting eighth in total runs (341). On the pitching side, the Tigers are ninth in ERA (5.02), sixth in opponent batting average (.245), and third in total strikeouts (448).
Individually, Dominic Listi is still second in the league in on-base percentage at .511. Josh Paino (2nd, 63 strikeouts) and Jacob Jarrell (9th, 48) both rank among the top 10 in punchouts. On the mound, Aidan Knaak is second in the conference with 80 strikeouts, while closer Lucas Mahlstedt leads the ACC with 15 saves. B.J. Bailey also ranks in the top 10 for fewest runs (7th), earned runs (9th), and walks allowed (10th).
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
On3 lists the Auburn Tigers as a 2025 College Football Playoff 'sleeper'
On3 lists the Auburn Tigers as a 2025 College Football Playoff 'sleeper' On3's Ari Wasserman feels that it would be foolish to sleep on the Auburn Tigers this season. Auburn football has not experienced a winning season since the COVID-shortended 2020 season, but one analyst feels that this could be the year that the Tigers get over the mountain and will make a run to the College Football Playoffs in 2025. Ari Wasserman of On3 recently compiled a list of SEC and Big Ten teams that could create havoc in the College Football Playoff race in 2025, and the Auburn Tigers are on it. Wasserman cites quarterback play as a giant factor in Auburn's chances to earn a seat in the College Football Playoff for the first time ever. Auburn was the best bad team in college football last year. Despite having dysfunctional quarterback play the entire season, the Tigers fought hard, ran the ball well and were highly competitive against good teams. Now head coach Hugh Freeze — who has a long history of drawing up some ball plays — brought in three options at quarterback. It seems like Jackson Arnold, the Oklahoma transfer, will get the call. If he has a solid, productive offseason in which he develops, high-level quarterback play combined with an amazing 1-2 receiver punch of Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. could have the Tigers back in contention. With the talent that Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has recruited to Auburn over the years, it feels that Auburn is close to making its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Quarterback play will be under a high-powered microscope this season as most analysts, such as Wasserman, feel that will make the difference in the Tigers making a playoff push, or ending the season in a bowl game. Jackson Arnold joins the Tigers' roster after posting solid numbers at Oklahoma last season, completing 62% of his passes for 1,421 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 444 yards and three touchdowns. He will get a fresh start after a sophomore season filled with inconsistent offensive line play and an injury-filled season for the Sooners' wide receiver unit. Auburn will protect him with an experienced offensive line and a wide receiver room that is poised to be the best in the SEC this season. If Arnold becomes the quarterback that was he was projected to be as a five-star and the Gatorade Player of the Year from Texas, there is zero question that Auburn will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff bid. According to Wasserman, the South Carolina Gamecocks, Oklahoma Sooners, and Florida Gators join Auburn as SEC squads who are also considered a "sleeper" in the College Football Playoff pursuit. Based on this list, the Sept. 20 matchup between the Tigers and Sooners in Norman could be a major player in both team's College Football Playoff dreams. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: A hitter you should be 'looking to add now before he pops off' leads pack
There's always room to strengthen your lineup, and this week offers a blend of post-injury returns, emerging power and sneaky multi-position eligibility. Here are five hitters making noise or worth stashing in competitive fantasy formats. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] It's unlikely, but check if Addison Barger (49% rostered) is still on the wire, as he's been on a tear lately. Anyway, back to the players who are more likely to be available. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B, Cincinnati Reds (22% rostered) Encarnacion-Strand came out firing off IL this weekend, going 4-for-8 with two homers, two runs and four RBI in his first two games. I'm ignoring the .209 average since injuries have limited him to just 17 plate appearances this year. Advertisement He's hitting in the four-spot and is poised to provide a much-needed power surge to a potent Reds lineup that's underwhelmed this season. If you're chasing home runs or need a corner infielder with legit upside, CES is a top-tier target this week. Jesús Sánchez, OF, Miami Marlins (11% rostered) Sánchez is doing everything to warrant fantasy managers' attention. Over the past two weeks, the outfielder ranks 18th overall, hitting .395 with three dingers, 11 RBI, nine runs and a robust 1.079 OPS. Beyond the traditional stats, the peripherals point to real progress — Sánchez owns a 45% hard-hit rate and has trimmed his strikeout rate to a career-low 23% with an 11% walk rate, all signs he's maturing at the plate. He's approaching top-50 status in the last month, making him a solid add in 12-team leagues and a great depth piece in deeper formats. Parker Meadows, OF, Detroit Tigers (24% rostered) Meadows has started slowly since coming off the 60-day IL list, but now is the time to buy. In 82 games last season, Meadows was a 2.2 bWAR player for the Tigers, posting a 109 OPS+, all of which were above league average. It's been less than a month, but Meadows is already showing improvements with his plate discipline, with a 17.9% K rate and a 17.9 % walk rate. He's stolen two bases in his seven games and is another talented young player with a 20/20 upside. Although the sample size is relatively small, his hitting metrics suggest he's due. Advertisement The Tigers appear ready to let the 25-year-old run, and they'll need it. Detroit ranks last in stolen bases this season despite being the best team in baseball. He'll get regular time in center field and should continue to hit at the top of the order. He's a savvy pickup with multi-category potential. Ronny Mauricio, 2B, New York Mets (13% rostered) Mauricio is the ninth-ranked prospect in the Mets organization, and after missing all of last season recovering from a torn ACL, he's back in the big leagues. The Dominican infielder posted strong batted-ball rates in the minors before the injury, showcasing impressive bat speed and improving discipline. Standing at 6-foot-3, the second baseman has the tools to be a fantasy asset, possessing true 20/20 potential. He hit at least 20 homers in the minors from 2021 to 2023, along with swiping 55 bases. Advertisement The power and speed combo will mesh well in a top-10 offense, and it never hurts to hit in the sixth slot for the best team in the National League. Given the Mets' unsettled infield and Mauricio's talent ceiling, he's a player I'm looking to add now before he pops off. Trevor Larnach, OF, Minnesota Twins (20% rostered) Larnach's underlying metrics aren't ideal. Still, he's on a heater and is providing exceptional run support for a Twins team that's 35-30 through Sunday night. The former first-round pick ranks 70th over the past 30 days, slashing .305/.348/.524 with a .872 OPS, five home runs and 14 RBI. The 28-year-old is on pace to set career-highs in HRs, RBI and runs and, as long as he's getting consistent at-bats near the top of the order, there's short-term value in the near term with the potential for more as long as he keeps producing at this level.


USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
10 stats tell the story of LSU baseball's dominant super regional sweep of West Virginia
10 stats tell the story of LSU baseball's dominant super regional sweep of West Virginia We saw LSU baseball at its best vs. West Virginia. The Tigers swept the Baton Rouge Super Regional to claim their spot in the College World Series. On Saturday, LSU had two grand slams en route to scoring 16 runs. The offensive barrage continued on Sunday with LSU scoring 12 more runs. LSU aces Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson weren't perfect, but they were good enough. West Virginia made a couple of runs in Game 1 and Game 2, but every time, LSU responded to remain in control of the game. The offensive output kept pressure off LSU pitchers throughout the series. For Jay Johnson and LSU, this marks the second trip to Omaha in three years. The Tigers won it all 2023, led by stars Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews. LSU will kick off its College World Series journey vs. Arkansas later this week. Before we get there, here are 10 stats that tell the story of LSU baseball's super regional win.