Sixth Inning Downpour Ignites Clemson Tigers’ Offensive Surge, Paving the Way to ACC Championship Game with Decisive Victory

The skies opened over Charlotte at precisely the right moment for the Clemson Tigers, unleashing both a torrential downpour and a flood of runs in a wild sixth inning that catapulted them past their semifinal opponent and into the ACC Championship Game. It was the kind of inning—and weather pattern—that changes games and seasons, a convergence of momentum, energy, and opportunity that Clemson seized with tenacity and force.

Before the rain, the game was tight, tense, and defined by pitching. Clemson and its opponent were locked in a methodical duel. The Tigers had scratched out a run earlier, but every base runner felt precious, and hits were at a premium. As clouds gathered above, it wasn’t clear whether either team had a true edge—until the weather helped uncover it.

With one out in the top of the sixth and Clemson leading 2-1, the first drops began to fall. By the time Billy Amick stepped into the batter’s box, it had turned into a steady downpour, yet the game continued. Players, coaches, and fans alike seemed to understand something pivotal was brewing—not just in the sky, but in the flow of the game.

Amick didn’t flinch. He ripped a 1-1 fastball into left-center for a double that seemed to cut through the rain itself. The crowd roared under ponchos and umbrellas. The Clemson dugout came alive. From that moment, the Tigers began to mount an inning that would rival anything they’d produced all season.

The next batter, sophomore infielder Cam Cannarella, worked a long at-bat and eventually drew a walk. What followed was a blend of aggressive base running, sharply hit balls, and uncharacteristic errors from a shaken opponent. The Tigers piled on five runs before the inning was over, chasing the starting pitcher and forcing two relievers into service. By the time grounds crew finally came out to roll the tarp over the soaked field, Clemson had turned a narrow one-run lead into a commanding 7-1 advantage.

After a rain delay that lasted more than an hour, the teams returned to the field—but the damage was done. Clemson’s energy remained high, while their opponent looked stunned and subdued. The Tigers added two more runs in the eighth for good measure, sealing a 9-2 victory and punching their ticket to the ACC Championship.

It was a signature performance for a Clemson team that has quietly built one of the most balanced rosters in the league. Under head coach Erik Bakich, the Tigers have embraced a high-energy, all-systems-go style of play that has resonated with fans and frustrated opponents. Saturday’s semifinal was just the latest example.

Much of the credit goes to the pitching staff, particularly starter Tristan Smith, who was electric through five innings. The left-hander scattered four hits, gave up just one run, and kept hitters off balance with a mix of power fastballs and a late-breaking slider that drew swing after swing. Smith’s performance ensured Clemson stayed within striking distance until the offense erupted.

After the game, Bakich praised his team’s resilience and readiness.

“We talk all the time about being ready when the moment comes—rain, shine, whatever,” Bakich said. “That sixth inning, we were ready. Guys didn’t press. They stayed focused, trusted the plan, and executed. And Tristan set the tone early. It was just a complete team effort.”

Indeed, the Tigers got contributions from all over the lineup. Amick went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs, and a walk. Cannarella scored twice and stole a base. Junior outfielder Will Taylor made two highlight-reel catches in right field, including a diving grab in the fourth that preserved Clemson’s early lead.

But perhaps the most important contribution came from the team’s emotional leaders. Throughout the chaotic sixth inning, catcher Cooper Ingle could be seen barking encouragement at his teammates, clapping through puddles, and hustling to the mound after each big pitch. It was leadership in action, and it helped the Tigers channel the momentum rather than be overwhelmed by it.

“We knew that rain was coming,” Ingle said after the game. “You could smell it, feel it in the air. That’s when you have to dig in, get louder, get sharper. I think we thrive in that chaos. That’s when we’re at our best.”

Clemson’s march to the ACC title game has been anything but easy. They’ve had to battle through adversity, injuries, and an extremely competitive conference slate. But at every step, the Tigers have grown tougher and more connected. It’s a team that doesn’t rattle easily and doesn’t quit, no matter the score or the forecast.

Now, they find themselves one win away from claiming the ACC title—something that hasn’t happened since 2016. It’s an opportunity the Tigers are embracing fully.

“For us, this is just the next step,” Bakich said. “We’re going to enjoy this tonight, but tomorrow, it’s about preparation. These guys have worked too hard not to give everything they’ve got in the final. I know they will.”

Their opponent in the title game will be another top-tier ACC team, and the matchup promises to be fierce. Both teams are ranked, both have College World Series aspirations, and both have shown resilience throughout the tournament. But if Saturday’s sixth inning proved anything, it’s that Clemson has a rare ability to rise in the big moments—and sometimes even bend the weather to its will.

In the days leading up to the semifinals, several Clemson players spoke about how close this group has become. The camaraderie and cohesion were evident on the field, in the dugout, and during the rain delay, when players danced in the dugout, smiled through the storm, and seemed utterly unfazed.

Senior reliever Rob Hughes, who closed out the game with two innings of one-hit ball, said it best.

“Man, we’ve got something special here,” Hughes said. “We believe in each other. We’re not scared of the moment. When the rain came, we didn’t see a delay—we saw a chance to break the game open. That’s the kind of team we are.”

Hughes, a graduate transfer who joined the program for one last shot at postseason glory, has quickly become one of the team’s most respected veterans. His poise on the mound after the delay helped re-establish Clemson’s dominance, preventing any thoughts of a comeback from creeping in.

Looking ahead to the championship game, Clemson will likely hand the ball to right-hander Aidan Knaak, who has emerged as a steady, reliable starter over the past month. Knaak’s ability to throw strikes and limit big innings fits perfectly with the Tigers’ aggressive defensive mindset. And with a bullpen that has proven its depth, Clemson has the arms to finish the job.

On offense, the Tigers will rely on their core of Cannarella, Amick, Ingle, and Taylor—all of whom have delivered clutch hits throughout the tournament. But beyond the box scores, it’s the team’s belief in one another that may be its greatest asset.

That belief was forged over months of early practices, long road trips, and tough series losses. It was tested when players went down with injuries, and it was strengthened in moments like Saturday’s sixth inning—when everything changed in a matter of minutes, and Clemson never looked back.

As the Tigers head into the ACC Championship Game, they do so with momentum, confidence, and a little bit of magic. The sixth inning downpour may have dampened the field, but it lit a fire in Clemson’s dugout—and it’s still burning.