When you hear 'All of the Lights' by Kanye, it's closing time for Clemson baseball's Austin Gordon
CLEMSON — Kanye West's "All of the Lights" blared out at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the top of the eighth inning Sunday to welcome Clemson baseball's Austin Gordon into the game.
This song is appropriate for Gordon, who became Clemson's closer after starting five of six games to begin the year. He entered the game after reliever Reed Garris gave up back-to-back two-out home runs to No. 3 seed Coastal Carolina to cut the Tigers' lead to one.
With momentum teetering and the pressure on him to deliver, the junior ended the inning with a strikeout and slammed the door in the ninth with a strikeout and two flyouts to propel the No. 6 national seed Tigers (44-14) to their first NCAA super regionals since 2010.
Clemson will host Florida (32-28) in a best-of-three series starting Saturday (2 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
"Coming in here three years ago, I never would've thought this is where we'd be now," said Gordon, who earned his 11th save of the year Sunday. "Looking back on it, I wouldn't trade any of it for the world."
As a reliever this season, Gordon has a 1.86 ERA with six walks over 19⅓ innings in 16 appearances. He has not given up a run since May 5 against Georgia Tech.
Gordon, 6-foot-5, 200-pound, can locate pitches effectively, causing batters to swing and miss and not walk batters. His arsenal consists of a 97-mph fastball, curveball, slider and splitter. And Gordon has the athleticism to field his position.
It's helped Gordon be effective in late-game situations to tie him for sixth in the nation in saves.
"He's got a very bright future in these short stints, just given his physical skill set and the mentality that he has," Clemson coach Erik Bakich said. "I wouldn't be surprised if that kid's in the big leagues someday throwing 100 (mph) with just nasty, nasty stuff."
Gordon entered the season exhausted, pitching in the summer with the Cape Cod League and Team USA. He didn't rest his arm until the final three months of 2023, which delayed his ramp-up time for the season.
In his five starts, Gordon had a 7.98 ERA and the longest outing was 4⅔ innings. As a result, Bakich decided to change Gordon's role.
YEARS IN THE MAKING: How Clemson baseball, coach Erik Bakich celebrated advancing to NCAA super regionals
"He's been a good starter, but he's really thriving in this role in the backend," Bakich said.
Gordon made three appearances in the Clemson Regional, striking out four batters and not allowing a run over 3⅓ innings. If needed against Florida, he will be ready to deliver.
"It just comes down to doing what the team needs," Gordon said.
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: Austin Gordon embraces Clemson baseball closer role, 'All of the Lights'
