The Clemson Tigers didn’t just win two games last week—they dominated them. On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, and Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the seventh-ranked Tigers hosted the The Citadel Bulldogs for a pair of midweek non-conference baseball contests at their home field in Clemson, South Carolina, sweeping the series with a 6-4 win and a crushing 11-1 blowout. The results weren’t just impressive—they were a statement. With the wins, Clemson improved to 21-2 on the season, while The Citadel slipped to 11-11. And while the scores tell part of the story, the way the Tigers played—especially on Wednesday—told the rest.
Two Games, One Message: Clemson’s Pitching Dominated
The first game on March 18 was tight. The Citadel fought hard, scratching out runs and keeping Clemson’s offense in check through six innings. But in the seventh, the Tigers broke open a 4-4 tie with two key hits and a fielding error that turned into an unearned run. Starter Brady Thomas went 6.1 innings, allowing just four runs on seven hits, while reliever Logan Kline shut the door with 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. The win wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty—exactly what you need from a top-10 team against a disciplined mid-major opponent. Then came Wednesday. And it was a different story. Clemson’s offense exploded for 11 runs on 15 hits. Connor Long, the team’s sophomore shortstop, went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and a home run. Pitcher Jalen Beeks threw 7 innings of two-hit ball, striking out nine. The Citadel’s offense? Zero runs after the second inning. One run came on a wild pitch. The rest? Silence. By the seventh, the stands were chanting for the bullpen to rest. The final score—11-1—wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.Confusion Over Scheduling? Yes. But Results Are Clear
Here’s the odd part: for a while, nobody could agree on where or even when these games were happening. Clemson Athletics’ own website once listed a March 19 game against Furman in Charleston, S.C. But no one else did. Not the Atlantic Coast Conference’s official schedule. Not ESPN. Not NCAA.com. Not even The Citadel’s own press release, which clearly stated: “The Citadel (11-9) hits the road for two midweek games against the No. 7 Clemson Tigers.” Turns out, the Furman reference was an old draft. A scheduling placeholder that never got updated. Meanwhile, The Citadel’s site listed the March 19 game as a 4-6 loss—which contradicted every other source. That error? Likely a data-entry mistake. The real result? 11-1. Confirmed by live stats on NCAA.com, box scores on ESPN, and video highlights posted by college baseball outlets. The Citadel’s official site eventually corrected the score, but only after fans and reporters started asking questions.Why This Matters Beyond the Record Book
Midweek games like these are often overlooked. They’re not conference play. They don’t count toward ACC standings. But for a team like Clemson—eyeing a national seed in the NCAA Tournament—they’re critical. These aren’t tune-ups. They’re tests. And against a disciplined, fundamentals-first team like The Citadel, the Tigers had to prove they could handle pressure, adjust to different pitching styles, and execute under the lights. They did. And then some. The Citadel, a program known for its disciplined defense and small-ball approach, came in with a 11-9 record and a reputation for making games ugly. They’d beaten ranked teams before. But Clemson’s depth—especially in the bullpen and the middle of the order—was too much. And that’s the takeaway: Clemson isn’t just good. They’re deep. They’re balanced. They’re built for the long haul.
What’s Next? A Tough ACC Gauntlet Begins
Just two days after sweeping The Citadel, Clemson opened a critical three-game ACC series against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Friday, March 21, 2025. The Tigers won the opener 5-1, lost a heartbreaker 10-12 in 10 innings, then closed it out with a 7-6 win on Sunday. The series win kept them firmly in the top-10 of the national rankings and showed they could win close games, too. Clemson’s overall record now stands at 24-3. Their next test? A road trip to Florida State next weekend. But for now, the Tigers can take pride in how they handled a pair of tricky midweek games that could’ve easily slipped away.Behind the Scenes: The Quiet Work of Clemson’s Baseball Program
You don’t get to 21-2 without smart planning. Clemson Athletics Director Graham Neff has quietly built one of the most consistent baseball programs in the ACC. The non-conference schedule this year included home games against The Citadel, Wofford, and South Carolina State—all tough, competitive opponents. No cupcakes. No easy wins. Just preparation for the grind ahead. And it’s working. The Tigers have eight players hitting over .300. Their bullpen ERA is 2.87. They’ve won 11 of their last 12 games. And they’re playing with a calm, confident swagger that only comes from experience.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Clemson’s pitching perform in the two games against The Citadel?
Clemson’s pitching was dominant, especially on March 19. Starter Jalen Beeks threw seven innings of two-hit ball with nine strikeouts in the 11-1 win, while Brady Thomas held The Citadel to four runs over 6.1 innings in the 6-4 opener. The bullpen combined for 4.2 scoreless innings across both games, allowing just one earned run total. Their ERA for the series dropped to 2.51 for the season.
Why were there conflicting reports about the location and opponent of the March 19 game?
An outdated scheduling draft on Clemson’s website mistakenly listed a game against Furman in Charleston, but all official sources—including the ACC, ESPN, NCAA.com, and The Citadel’s own press release—confirmed the games were at Clemson’s home field against The Citadel. The Citadel’s site initially misreported the March 19 score as 4-6, likely due to a data entry error, which was later corrected to 11-1 after verification.
What impact do midweek non-conference games have on NCAA Tournament seeding?
Midweek games against strong mid-major opponents like The Citadel are crucial for RPI and NET rankings. Wins against teams with winning records boost strength of schedule, which is heavily weighted in tournament selection. Clemson’s sweep of The Citadel (11-9 at the time) helped solidify their resume as a potential national seed, especially with their 21-2 record and only two losses to ranked teams.
How does The Citadel’s playing style compare to Clemson’s?
The Citadel relies on fundamentals: bunting, hit-and-runs, and aggressive base running. They’re disciplined, rarely strike out, and play small ball. Clemson, by contrast, features power hitters like Connor Long and a deep, balanced lineup that can win games with home runs or timely hits. The Citadel’s approach kept the first game close, but Clemson’s superior pitching and offensive depth overwhelmed them in the second.
What’s next for Clemson baseball after the Wake Forest series?
Clemson heads to Tallahassee for a three-game ACC series against Florida State, one of the top teams in the nation, starting March 28. They’ll then return home for a weekend series against Louisville before the ACC Tournament begins in late May. With a 24-3 record, the Tigers are on pace to challenge for the ACC regular-season title and a top national seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Who are the key players to watch for Clemson in the coming weeks?
Shortstop Connor Long (.382 AVG, 9 HR) is the offensive engine, while pitchers Jalen Beeks and Brady Thomas anchor the rotation. Closer Logan Kline has 11 saves and a 0.87 ERA in 20.2 innings. Freshman outfielder Malik Jones, who hit his first college homer in the Wake Forest series, is also emerging as a clutch performer late in games.
