Clemson baseball in Oxford NCAA Regional: Live updates, how to watch
Clemson faces Ole Miss in the NCAA tournament in the Oxford (Mississippi) Regional on Saturday.
Clemson vs. Ole Miss TV, game details
Who: Clemson (35-24) vs. Ole Miss (38-25)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Oxford, Mississippi (Swayze Field)
TV: ESPNU (Lance Cormier, Richard Cross)
Stream online: WatchESPN
Starting pitchers: LHP Mat Clark (Clemson) vs. LHP Doug Nikhazy (Ole Miss)
Clemson has not advanced to a Super Regional since 2010. Here is what the Tigers must do to change that this weekend:
1. Get a solid start from Jacob Hennessy
Tigers coach Monte Lee opted to take a risk and start junior Jacob Hennessy against Illinois, instead of ace Mat Clark. Clemson is saving Clark for a potential matchup with No. 1 seed Ole Miss on Saturday, but if the Tigers don’t earn a win in Game 1, they will be in serious trouble. If Hennessy struggles and Clemson loses, the Tigers will need to win four games in three days to advance.
2. Have Davis Sharpe step up
Sharpe was Clemson’s ace for much of the season, but the freshman struggled down the stretch and allowed seven runs in his last start. He is a candidate to start Game 3 for Clemson, or he could pitch early on in the regional out of the bullpen. Whenever he pitches, he will need to throw well.
3. Get production from the bottom of the order
Clemson feels good about the top of the order with Michael Green, Logan Davidson, Grayson Byrd and Kyle Wilkie all playing well lately, but the Tigers need someone to step up near the bottom of the lineup to win the regional. Justin Hawkins is a candidate after hitting a towering-three run homer in Clemson’s final game of the ACC tournament against Louisville, while second baseman Jordan Greene also played well in the ACC tournament.
4. Handle the environment
Ole Miss is a tough place to play, and the Tigers have struggled on the road at times this year. Clemson is 10-11 on the road this season, while Ole Miss is 22-9 at home. If Clemson is going to win the regional it will likely have to go through the Rebels to do so.
Clemson vs. Illinois TV, game details
Who: Clemson (34-24) vs. Illinois (36-19)
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Oxford, Mississippi (Swayze Field)
TV: ESPNU (Lance Cormier, Richard Cross)
Starting pitchers: LHP Jacob Hennessy (Clemson) vs. RHP Ty Weber (Illinois)
Series history: Clemson leads 3-0
Other matchup Friday: Ole Miss (37-25) vs. Jacksonville State (37-21) 8 pm Friday, ESPN3
This story was originally published May 30, 2019 at 3:14 PM.
