Stanford lost the opening game of a three-game baseball series against Clemson on Apr. 3, with a final score of 9-3 at Sunken Diamond.
The loss brings Stanford’s record to 13-14 for the season and 3-7 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while Clemson improved to 20-11 overall and matched Stanford’s conference record at 3-7.
Senior Cort MacDonald hit his second home run of the season for Stanford, extending the team’s streak of games with at least one home run to nineteen. The Cardinal tied the game at one in the third inning after an error by Clemson center fielder Bryce Clavon but fell behind as Clemson added runs in subsequent innings. MacDonald’s two-run homer in the sixth inning reduced Stanford’s deficit, but it was not enough as Clemson continued to add insurance runs.
Clemson pitcher Aidan Knaak earned his first win of the season by pitching five innings and allowing three runs—two earned—on five hits, with seven strikeouts. Hayden Simmerson finished out the last four innings for Clemson, securing his second save of the year by facing just one batter over the minimum without giving up any more runs.
Stanford used eight pitchers during the game. Freshman Andrew Shaw started and pitched into the second inning during his second career start. Fellow freshmen Mike Erspamer and David Wiser combined for nearly three scoreless innings from relief, with Wiser making his collegiate debut and recording a strikeout in a perfect ninth inning.
The teams will continue their series on Saturday afternoon.
