CLEMSON — Clemson baseball's Alden Mathes, Jacob Hinderleider and Blake Wright gathered in right-center field Sunday to reflect on the end of their seasons.

Florida (34-28) eliminated the No. 6 overall seed Tigers (44-16) in the NCAA super regionals, winning 11-10 after Michael Robertson hit a walk-off two-run double in the 13th inning. The Gators advanced to their second straight College World Series.

The Clemson seniors walked off the field, receiving applause from fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in what was likely all three's final college baseball game. The Tigers fell short in their first super regionals appearance since 2010, but they embodied coach Erik Bakich's mentality to battle to the bitter end.

"Team 127, it's always going to be about never being out of the fight," Wright said.

How can Clemson baseball return to NCAA super regional?

The Tigers will have to retool their 2025 roster to make it back their third straight NCAA tournament. They relied on four seniors — Mathes, Hinderleider, Wright and Jimmy Obertop — whose college careers are likely over. They combined for 238 runs, which accounted for 49.2% of Clemson's runs this season.

Replacing that production via the transfer portal or current players stepping up will be critical. Bakich brought in impact transfers, like Hinderleider, Mathes and Obertop, through the portal last season, and he will likely do it again this offseason.

The Tigers can be optimistic next season with talented hitters returning. Cam Cannarella, who earned all-conference honors, will be a junior after finishing second in batting average (.337) and hits (83) last season. Tristan Bissetta, Jacob Jarrell, Jack Crighton, Jarren Purify and Nolan Nawrocki should return and improve next year too.

Another issue Clemson must address is its bullpen. Bakich was confident in his relievers entering the NCAA tournament, but they struggled against Florida to allow five runs in Game 1 of the super regional and six in Game 2. Standout relievers Austin Gordon and Jacob McGovern should come back next season, but the Tigers need stronger arms.

CATCH OF THE YEAR: Cam Cannarella makes Willie Mays-styled catch to save Clemson baseball's season vs. Florida

Clemson baseball continues upward trajectory under coach Erik Bakich

The second-year Tigers coach has vastly improved the program since joining in 2022. After missing the postseason for two straight seasons, Clemson won 40 games, including 20 ACC games, and earned a national seed in the NCAA tournament in 2023 and 2024.

In his first year, Bakich led the Tigers to their first ACC tournament championship since 2016 and to a No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA regionals. He raised the bar this season, coaching Clemson to its first ACC's Atlantic Division title since 2018 and its first NCAA super regional in 14 years.

"We got this program right on the right track and right where we want to be," Gordon said.

The Tigers' "superpower" all year was their belief they can overcome adversity. They had 25 comeback wins, including two in the Clemson Regional, and the largest deficit they overcame was nine runs against Florida State. They achieved this success despite not having starting shortstop Andrew Ciufo and left fielder Will Taylor.

What makes Bakich special is he allows his players to be creative, which has led to epic moments in the postseason. From Wright's hidden-ball trick to Hinderleider's back-hand throw to jumping in the Cajun Cafe to Cannarella's over-the-shoulder catch, Bakich encourages his players to exude passion.

"Coach Bakich and the whole staff is awesome," Obertop said. "They got a bright future ahead of them."

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson baseball had epic 2024: What Erik Bakich needs for more