Clemson, Stanford Set for Sunday Rubber Match

PALO ALTO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Clemson Tigers and Stanford Cardinal will meet in the deciding game of their three-game series Sunday evening at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. PDT under cloudy skies with a game-time temperature of 78 degrees.

The Atlantic Coast Conference-organized matchup is knotted at one game apiece. Stanford (14-14) evened the series with a 5-4 walk-off win Saturday, one day after Clemson (20-12) claimed a 9-3 victory.

A key player to watch for Clemson will be right-hander Aidan Knaak. The Tigers’ starter has been dominant in two of his last three outings, including a five-inning, two-run, seven-strikeout performance in Friday’s win over these same Cardinal. Sandwiched between that and a five-inning, one-run outing at Notre Dame on March 20, however, was a rough start where he allowed six earned runs to Georgia Tech.

Stanford will look to reliever Mike Erspamer to play a pivotal role. The right-hander has been effective lately, tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Friday’s loss to Clemson. Over his last three appearances, he has allowed just one earned run in 3 2/3 innings while striking out five.

Clemson arrives with the better overall record but has lost four of its last six games. Stanford has won three of its last four, showing improved form after a middering start to the season.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Stanford is projected to win Sunday’s finale by a score of 7-3.

Following the series, Clemson travels to face Santa Clara on Monday before hosting North Carolina in ACC play next weekend. Stanford begins a road series at Louisville on Friday.