Erik Bakich reacts to Tristan Bissetta's 3-run HR after Wake Forest hit early grand slam

Clemson fell behind early in their third game vs. Wake Forest after giving up a grand slam, but the Tigers then rallied to get back in the game with a three-run homer of their own.

Just after Clemson’s Tristan Bissetta had cleared the bases to trim the Demon Deacon lead back down to one run, Tiger head coach Erik Bakich joined the broadcast to discuss the jolt of momentum as well as his team’s Sunday starter.

“Yeah, we needed that,” Bakich said of the three-run bomb, thankful his team was finally able to get a free base to help setup the game-changing swing.

“You know, lead-off walk started the inning and that’s how (Wake Forest) has generated offense, a couple of walks and then a big blast. And for us, the lead-off walk, which, we haven’t really walked this weekend much. So being able to hold the zone and get pitches to smash, that’s going to be a big deal. A huge hit by Tristan Bissetta.”

On the other side of the coin, Clemson’s typical Sunday starter, Aidan Knaak, won’t finish with his best day statistically after allowing the grand slam, but Bakich still had very high praise for the emerging freshman star on the mound, who the broadcast noted is “not your prototypical Sunday starter.”

That’s because Knaak came into Sunday with a 2.57 ERA for the season, the lowest ERA of any Clemson pitcher that has started a game this season. Normally, those guys are 1.) not freshman, and 2.) don’t pitch on Sundays. Per Bakich, that speaks to his mindset and control as such as youngster.

“Well, we could tell early on in the fall this was a different kid, very regimented, very disciplined, very routine-oriented — not like many college kids, let alone freshmen,” said Bakich, noting how ahead of the curve Knaak is.

“So, we see that part of it is different, he’s kind of ahead of the game mentally. And then, you know, we knew he had good stuff, but just the ability to execute that routinely week to week. Obviously, he’s meant an awful lot to our success this season. With him on Sundays has been awesome.”

The consistency, the raw ERA, and the composure of rookie arm Aidan Knaak has been a massive weapon for Erik Bakich and Clemson as they roll him out on Sundays, when most other teams are throwing one of their weaker starting pitchers.