CLEMSON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a wild midweek nonconference clash defined by a massive early lead and a relentless comeback that fell just short, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers outlasted the Clemson Tigers 11-9 on Tuesday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The most important part of the game was its stunning beginning and its dramatic conclusion, bridged by a near-historic rally. Coastal Carolina’s offense erupted immediately against Clemson starter Joe Moehler. After a strikeout and a walk, Rex Watson provided the early thunder, launching a three-run homer to center field in the top of the first inning to give the Chanticleers a commanding lead before many fans had settled into their seats.

That lead would balloon, though the details of the subsequent scoring were not provided in the play-by-play beyond the initial outburst. By the time the frantic early innings subsided, Coastal Carolina had built an 11-run advantage.

Clemson, however, refused to capitulate. The Tigers began chipping away in the second inning when Jack Crighton delivered an RBI single. The comeback gained serious momentum in a explosive bottom of the fourth. The Tigers sent 11 batters to the plate, scoring six runs on five hits. The key blow was a two-run homer down the left-field line by designated hitter Jacob Jarrell, which cut the deficit to five runs. Clemson added single runs in the sixth on a solo homer and an RBI triple, pulling within two runs and turning the game into a tense, late-inning affair.

The Chanticleers’ bullpen, which had been scuffling, found its stopper in an unlikely source: starting pitcher Darin Horn. Entering the game in the bottom of the seventh with the tying runs on base, Horn extinguished the threat with a strikeout. He then dominated over three perfect innings of relief to earn the save, striking out six batters without allowing a hit. This performance capped a strong recent stretch for Horn, who has now thrown 6 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings over his last four appearances.

While Horn sealed the win, Watson’s early heroics set the tone, finishing 2 for 4 with three RBIs. For Clemson, Crighton had a standout night at the plate, going 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Clemson relievers Dylan Harrison and Justin LeGuernic combined for 4 1/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief with seven strikeouts to keep their team within striking distance.

The game was a slugfest that defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a lower-scoring 8-4 Coastal Carolina victory and gave the Chanticleers a narrow 50.6% probability to win.

With the victory, Coastal Carolina improved its season record to 17 wins and 7 losses. The Chanticleers travel to face Marshall for a three-game series starting Friday. Clemson, which saw its record move to 18-8, opens a critical Atlantic Coast Conference series at home against Miami (FL) on Thursday.