In the ACC Tournament, which will be held at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in North Carolina, the Clemson Tigers have secured the fifth seed.

The postseason is officially here, and the Clemson Tigers are entering it with the momentum and confidence of a team that knows it has unfinished business. With the seeding now finalized for the 2025 ACC Baseball Tournament, Clemson will enter the competition as the fifth seed, setting the stage for a high-stakes campaign at the historic Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina.

The Tigers’ season has been a rollercoaster of top-tier victories, growing pains, and flashes of brilliance that show just how dangerous this team can be when firing on all cylinders. As the fifth seed, Clemson is slotted into a competitive pool that will test its depth, pitching rotation, and offensive consistency — all critical components for a long run in the tournament and, potentially, into the NCAA Regionals and beyond.

Let’s take a closer look at what this seeding means, how the Tigers got here, and why they might be the most dangerous team flying under the radar in the 2025 ACC Tournament.

Clemson finished the regular season with an overall record of 37-17 and a conference mark of 17-13, placing them just outside the top four in the standings. While they missed out on a top seed and the associated bye, the Tigers’ place in the upper echelon of the ACC standings was never seriously in doubt.

It’s a reflection of the team’s depth and talent that they managed to stay consistent in one of the most competitive baseball conferences in the nation. The ACC has proven time and again that it produces top-tier collegiate programs, and this season was no different, with seven teams projected to earn NCAA Regional bids and multiple players pegged as high MLB Draft prospects.

Head coach Erik Bakich, now in his second season at the helm of the program, has reshaped the culture with a hard-nosed, aggressive approach on both sides of the ball. That grit has paid off, with the Tigers recording notable series wins over Florida State, NC State, and Virginia Tech, and narrowly falling short in a few others.

“We’ve been tested all year long,” Bakich said after Clemson’s regular-season finale. “The ACC doesn’t allow for off weeks. Our guys have shown the ability to bounce back, to compete, and to rise to the challenge when it matters.”

Clemson’s path to the fifth seed included pivotal moments that defined the character of this squad. Among them:

• Series Victory at NC State: Clemson took two of three in Raleigh, showcasing clutch late-inning hitting and a bullpen that delivered when needed. This was one of the first signs that the Tigers could match up against elite competition on the road.
• Walk-off Heroics Against Virginia: In a game that highlighted the team’s resilience, Clemson rallied from a four-run deficit in the final two innings to walk it off in extra innings. Moments like that may define the confidence they bring into postseason play.
• Tough Losses to Wake Forest and Duke: While the Tigers held their own for much of these series, a few bullpen lapses and situational hitting woes exposed some lingering vulnerabilities. But Bakich is confident those experiences have only sharpened his squad for the battles ahead.

Clemson’s pitching rotation has come into sharper focus over the past month, with junior right-hander Ethan Darden emerging as the team’s ace. Darden boasts a 2.89 ERA over 86 innings pitched, with 104 strikeouts and just 24 walks. His command, demeanor, and poise under pressure make him a natural choice for the opening game of pool play.

Supporting Darden are sophomore lefty Luke Bramble and freshman sensation Grayson Keller. Bramble offers a different look with heavy off-speed usage, while Keller — a hard-throwing righty with a developing slider — has impressed scouts with his composure beyond his years.

The bullpen has seen late-season clarity as well. Junior closer Sam Clayton has notched 11 saves with a 1.92 ERA, and setup man Carter Elam has become a go-to weapon in tight spots.

“If we get into a close game late, we like our chances,” said pitching coach Jimmy Belanger. “Sam and Carter are elite competitors, and our starters have given us a chance in almost every outing.”

The Clemson offense isn’t reliant on one superstar, but rather a deep, balanced lineup that can manufacture runs in a variety of ways. Leading the way is junior outfielder and leadoff man Marcus Reid, who slashed .342/.428/.501 on the season while stealing 19 bases and scoring 54 runs.

Cleanup hitter Tyler Donovan leads the team in home runs (14) and RBIs (51), offering much-needed pop in the middle of the order. Sophomore catcher Jake Mendez has not only been solid defensively but also contributed a .311 average and consistent contact against both lefties and righties.

What makes the Tigers particularly dangerous is their situational awareness at the plate. They rank third in the ACC in sacrifice flies and fifth in walks drawn, indicating an offense that doesn’t press, stays patient, and delivers when it counts.

“We talk about passing the baton,” said Bakich. “Not every guy has to be the hero. Just get on base, move the runner, and trust the guy behind you. Our lineup buys into that.”

The ACC Baseball Tournament features 12 teams divided into four pools of three, with each team playing the other two in its group. The winner of each pool advances to the semifinals. As the fifth seed, Clemson finds itself grouped with the fourth seed and the ninth seed — a tough but navigable scenario.

Projected Pool:

• #4 Seed: Duke Blue Devils
• #5 Seed: Clemson Tigers
• #9 Seed: Miami Hurricanes

This pool carries plenty of drama. Clemson dropped a series to Duke earlier in the season, though each game was close. Meanwhile, they split a midweek game against Miami and will have to deal with the Hurricanes’ high-octane offense again.

Clemson will likely face Miami first, giving them a chance to set the tone before squaring off against Duke in a potential winner-take-all clash. The stakes are clear: one loss doesn’t eliminate a team outright, but to win the pool and move on, Clemson likely needs to go 2-0.

While the Tigers are no stranger to the ACC Tournament, recent years have seen mixed results. The program hasn’t advanced to the final since 2016 and hasn’t won the title since 2006. But there’s a growing feeling around the team that this year’s group could change that narrative.

National analysts have taken notice. Clemson has hovered in the top 20 of most polls and is projected to host a regional — should they make a deep run in Durham. That opportunity adds even more weight to their performance in the tournament.

“This is a legacy-defining moment for some of these guys,” said former Clemson pitcher and current ACC Network analyst Alex Eubanks. “If they take care of business and reach the semis, you’re looking at a team that could easily play into the second weekend of June.”

Key Players to Watch

• Marcus Reid (OF): Table-setter who controls the tempo of Clemson’s offense. If he gets on base, the Tigers usually score.
• Ethan Darden (SP): Set to pitch Game 1. His presence could determine the Tigers’ path.
• Jake Mendez (C): His ability to shut down the run game and call a strategic game is invaluable.
• Tyler Donovan (1B/DH): A hot bat that could carry Clemson through a power surge.
• Sam Clayton (CL): One of the most reliable closers in the ACC.

The site of this year’s ACC Tournament — Durham Bulls Athletic Park — adds an extra layer of excitement. Known for its intimate atmosphere and excellent sightlines, the ballpark is the longtime home of the Triple-A Durham Bulls and is one of the premier minor league venues in the country.

Its pitcher-friendly dimensions and fast outfield turf will test teams’ defensive agility and base-running awareness. Clemson has played at DBAP before and is familiar with the field, which could be a minor edge.

Ultimately, Clemson’s goal is not just an ACC title — it’s a College World Series berth in Omaha. This tournament is a critical step in building momentum and earning a favorable draw in the NCAA Tournament. With a strong showing, Clemson could lock up hosting privileges and potentially a top-eight national seed.

But it starts with taking care of business in Durham.

“This is what we play for,” Bakich said. “Pressure, competition, and the chance to bring a trophy back to Clemson. We’re ready.”

Clemson may be the fifth seed, but this is a team that plays like a contender. With battle-tested arms, a smart and steady lineup, and a coaching staff that knows how to win in the postseason, the Tigers are built for this stage.

Don’t be surprised if Clemson shakes up the bracket and rewrites its own ACC Tournament history at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. For the Tigers, the time is now — and the road to Omaha just might start in Durham.