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CLEMSON, S.C. — Furman ran into an early offensive surge and a deep Clemson pitching staff Tuesday night, falling 9-1 in five innings to No. 18 Clemson at McWhorter Stadium. The nonconference loss dropped the Paladins to 0-6 on the season, while the Tigers improved to 4-2.
Playing its first true road game of the year, Furman struggled to slow Clemson’s power bats early and was unable to generate sustained offense outside of a solo home run in the second inning.
Early Power Sets the Tone
Clemson wasted little time grabbing control of the game. The Tigers struck on the first pitch they saw, as Jamison Brockenbrough opened the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff home run to right-center field. The blast immediately put Furman on its heels and energized the home crowd.
The Tigers continued the pressure moments later when Marian Collins followed with a two-run home run, pushing the lead to 3-0 before an out was recorded. Furman’s defense settled in after the back-to-back homers, but the early damage forced the Paladins to play from behind for the remainder of the contest.
Peeler Provides a Spark for Furman
Furman briefly swung momentum in the top of the second inning. Katie Peeler delivered the Paladins’ offensive highlight of the night, driving a solo home run to center field to cut the deficit to 3-1. The long ball marked Furman’s first run of the game and provided a much-needed spark against Clemson’s pitching staff.
Despite the blast, Furman was unable to build on the momentum. Clemson answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on baserunners and extending the lead to 6-1, restoring full control of the game.
Clemson Pulls Away in the Middle Innings
The Tigers continued to add separation in the third inning, using timely hitting and aggressive baserunning to stretch the lead to 8-1. Furman worked to limit further damage, but Clemson consistently put pressure on the Paladins’ defense, forcing plays and extending innings.
Clemson’s lineup produced runs without relying solely on the long ball, mixing in disciplined at-bats and situational hitting to keep Furman from finding a rhythm.
Run Rule Ends It Early
Trailing by eight runs entering the bottom of the fifth, Furman needed a quick defensive stand to extend the game. Instead, Clemson ended the contest with a walk-off home run by Kiley Channell, a solo shot to left-center that triggered the NCAA run rule and sealed the 9-1 victory.
Pitching and Final Notes
Clemson’s pitching staff limited Furman to just one run and did not allow the Paladins to mount any sustained rallies. Furman’s lone scoring play came on Peeler’s home run, while the rest of the lineup was held in check by a combination of velocity and off-speed pitching.
The Paladins will look to regroup as they continue their early-season schedule, focusing on tightening execution and finding consistency at the plate as the season progresses.
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