CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Tristan Bissetta batted 2 for 4 and drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth to lift Clemson to a 4-3 win over High Point on Friday night in the Clemson Regional.
Blake Wright led off Clemson’s ninth doubling the opposite way to right on the first pitch. Though not a deeply hit ball, the hustling Wright safely beat a high throw to get in scoring position.
High Point intentionally walked Cam Cannarella, and after Jimmy Obertop struck out, Bissetta — a lefty-handed sophomore — laced the first pitch to right field allowing Wright to score from second after right fielder Miggy Echazarreta slipped and fell.
Bissetta, Jack Crighton and Jacob Jarrell, Clemson’s sixth-through-eighth hitters respectively, all went 2 for 4 and came up with six of the Tigers’ (42-14) 10 hits.
Cael Chatham and Adam Stuart each went 2 for 4 for the Panthers while Charlie Klingler drove in two runs.
Clemson is playing in the NCAA Tournament for the 46th time and hosting a regional for the second straight year. The Tigers advance to face Coastal Carolina on Saturday after its 13-3 shellacking of Vanderbilt on Friday.
High Point (34-26) will try to stay alive Saturday against the Commodores.
Clemson is now 11-0 against High Point since their first meeting in 1976. It was their first meeting since 2014 and the first in the postseason.
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