CLEMSON, S.C. (Interstat) — The Clemson Tigers erupted for 11 runs in the first three innings and cruised to a 14-1 victory over the La Salle Explorers in a nonconference baseball game Friday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The result, played before a crowd of 5,112, starkly contrasted the pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a narrow 8-7 La Salle win. Instead, Clemson improved to 12-1 while handing La Salle its third loss against eight wins.

The most important part of the game was the immediate and overwhelming response by Clemson in the bottom of the first inning. After La Salle’s Chase Swain led off the game with a solo home run to left field off starter Dylan Harrison, the Tigers’ offense dismantled Explorers starter Ryan MacDonnell. The first five Clemson batters reached base, culminating in a four-run frame.

Jarren Purify doubled and Tryston McCladdie walked before Cam Savoie’s single loaded the bases. After a force out at home, Luke Gaffney was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Tyler Lichtenberger then singled through the right side, driving in two runs and advancing to second on a fielding error. Catcher Jacob Jarrell capped the outburst with a ground-rule double down the left-field line, plating two more for a 4-1 lead from which La Salle never recovered.

Harrison earned the win for Clemson, settling in after the leadoff homer to work four innings. He allowed three hits and one earned run while striking out five. Justin LeGuernic provided three scoreless innings of relief, surrendering just one hit and striking out three.

The Tigers extended their lead to 7-1 in the second inning. After McCladdie walked, stole third and scored on a wild pitch, Gaffney smashed a two-run double to left. Lichtenberger followed with an RBI single to score Gaffney.

Clemson broke the game open in the third inning with four more runs. Purify drove in a run with a single before McCladdie launched a three-run homer to right-center field, making it 11-1.

La Salle’s offense was stifled after the initial swing, managing just four hits total. Swain’s homer accounted for their only run. Aidan Zakarewicz and Dante Edwardi pitched in relief for the Explorers, with Edwardi tossing two hitless innings, though he allowed one earned run.

Clemson added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings. Lichtenberger scored on a sacrifice fly by Jack Dalley in the fourth, and walks to Lichtenberger and Jarrell set up runs on a bases-loaded walk to Will Dillard and a fielder’s choice by Nathan Clavon in the sixth.

Lichtenberger finished 2 for 2 with two RBIs and three runs scored. Jarrell and Gaffney each drove in two runs. For La Salle, Swain was 1 for 3 with the solo home run.

The teams are scheduled to continue their series with a doubleheader Saturday.