Why Clemson baseball will – and won't – win Clemson NCAA Regional
CLEMSON — After failing to repeat as ACC tournament champion, Clemson baseball eyes a trip to the NCAA super regional for the first time since 2010.
The Tigers (41-14) are hosting the Clemson Regional for the second straight year after being seeded No. 6 overall in the country. They are joined by Vanderbilt, Coastal Carolina and High Point. Clemson battles the No. 4 seed Panthers (34-25) on Friday (7 p.m., ACC Network), and the No. 2 seed Commodores (38-21) face the No. 3 seed Chanticleers (34-23) on Friday (noon, ESPN2).
This is the Tigers' 46th NCAA Tournament appearance, which is the fifth most in the nation. Vanderbilt is headed to Clemson for the NCAA regionals for the third time in the past seven postseasons, and Coastal Carolina made the tournament for the third consecutive season. High Point is making its first NCAA tournament appearance after winning the Big South Conference Championship.
Here's why Clemson can — and can't — win its NCAA regional:
Can: Clemson baseball is never out of a game
The Tigers have 24 comeback wins this season, leaning on their high-powered offense to overcome deficits. Their latest rally came against Louisville in the ACC tournament this past weekend. The largest deficit they have overcome was nine runs against Florida State on March 24.
Clemson has five qualified hitters who have a batting average higher than .300, including Blake Wright and Cam Cannarella, who both earned all-conference honors. The Tigers thrive in tight games and will look to continue that play in the regional.
Can't: Vanderbilt baseball has been a thorn in Clemson's side
Despite being a No. 2 seed, Vanderbilt has beaten Clemson in this spot in the past. The Commodores beat the top-seeded Tigers twice as a No. 2 seed in the Clemson Regional in 2017 and 2018, upsetting them on Day 2 and finishing the job in the regional finals.
Clemson is 1-4 against Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament and has a 3-5 record vs. the Commodores all time.
SCHEDULE: NCAA Baseball tournament: Clemson Regional schedule, bracket, TV info for Clemson baseball
Can: Clemson has home-field advantage
The Tigers are hoping fans come out in droves to support Clemson as they embark on their NCAA tournament journey. Last season, they averaged 5,477 fans for their games at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Clemson coach Erik Bakich wants to see more come out this year.
"We need DKS to be filled with 6,000 or 7,000 participants, acting as if they’re the 10th man on the field, not just showing up to watch a game," Bakich said Monday. "And if we can do that, wow, I can’t wait to hear this place rocking.”
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: Why Clemson baseball will – and won't – win Clemson NCAA Regional
