Jason Fultz Jr. hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to help No. 21 Clemson defeat Santa Clara 6-4 at Stephen Schott Stadium on April 7. With this win, the Tigers improved their record to 21-12 and completed their California road trip with three wins out of four games.
The game was close until late, with Clemson trailing by one run entering the eighth inning. The Tigers’ offense had been limited since the fourth, but Tyler Lichtenberger singled with two outs to put runners on base before Fultz Jr. hit his first homer of the year, giving Clemson a lead they would not give up.
In addition to Fultz Jr.’s key hit, Jackson Moore and Bryce Clavon contributed insurance runs in the eighth inning after a throwing error by Santa Clara allowed Moore to advance and Clavon drove him in with an infield single. Earlier in the game, strong pitching performances from Dane Moehler and Talan Bell held Santa Clara scoreless through five innings.
Santa Clara rallied for three runs in the sixth inning off Eston Simpson and took a brief lead after walks loaded the bases and Luke Devine walked to force in a run. Joe Allen pitched effectively out of trouble for Clemson and earned his third win of the season, while Justin LeGuernic closed out the final two innings for his third save despite allowing one run.
Santa Clara committed three errors during critical moments that led directly to Clemson’s scoring opportunities. Lichtenberger finished with two hits including a double, while Fultz Jr.’s home run accounted for three runs batted in.
Clemson’s road trip ended positively as they took two of three games from Stanford earlier before defeating Santa Clara. The team will look to build on this momentum as their season continues.
