Tigers Top Flames 5-3 in Season Opener

Junior lefthander Sam Weatherly totaled a career-high eight strikeouts and four Tiger pitchers combined to strand 17 runners on base in Clemson's 5-3 victory over Liberty at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday afternoon in both team's season opener.

Weatherly, making his first start since 2018, gave up one run on two hits with eight strikeouts in 4.0 innings pitched. Freshman lefty Geoffrey Gilbert earned the win by allowing one hit and no runs in 2.0 innings pitched. Carson Spiers pitched the final 3.0 innings to record the save. The four Tiger hurlers combined to limit Liberty to 1-for-16 with runners in scoring position. Flame starter Mason Meyer suffered the loss.

Sam Hall evened the score 1-1 with a home run in the fourth inning, then Adam Hackenberg lined a two-out, run-scoring single to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning. Clemson doubled its lead in the sixth inning on an error, then it tacked on another run in the frame on Elijah Henderson's two-out, run-scoring single. James Parker added a run-scoring single in the eighth inning.

The series continues Saturday at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. The first 500 fans receive a free Opening Weekend Rally Towel.