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WATCH: Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich gets 400th win, first series win with Tigers

On3 imageby: Andrew Graham02/18/23AndrewEdGraham
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ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 21: Clemson Tigers head baseball coach Erik Bakich on the field before a game between the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros at Truist Park on August 21, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images)

Clemson started the season 2-0 with a come-from-behind win against Binghamton on Saturday afternoon, 3-2. And with the win, the Tigers cinch up a series win to start the year and notch the 400th victory for new head coach Erik Bakich.

Bakich is in his first season as the Clemson head coach after a lengthy and successful tenure leading the Michigan program — including a trip to Omaha and the College World Series. And his first series win as skipper for the Tigers will be a memorable career milestone.

After trailing 1-0 following a Binghamton run in the top of the sixth, the Tigers tacked on three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. And after the visitors played a run in the top of the ninth to get the score to one run — 3-2, Clemson — relief pitcher Tristan Smith hung on and got the save.

At Michigan, Bakich coached 10 seasons, never posting a losing record. Along with a spate of NCAA tournament trips to regionals and super regionals, the Wolverines also appeared in the 2019 College World Series and advanced to the championship series, where Vanderbilt finally bested them. Bakich posted a 328-216 record at Michigan.

Prior to coaching the Wolverines, Bakich led the Maryland program for three seasons, going 70-98 leading the Terrapins.

Bakich brought a key Michigan assistant to Clemson

Michigan baseball associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Nick Schnabel joined Bakich at Clemson, according to D1 Baseball’s Kendall Rogers. The reported move comes just after reports from On3’s Matt Connolly confirmed that the Wolverines’ head coach will make a move to the ACC and lead the Tigers into a new era.

Nick Schnabel would join Clemson after nine seasons at Michigan, where he became a key member of Erik Bakich’s staff. He won the 2019 college baseball national assistant of the year award while working with the infield and hitters on the wat to the College World Series.

His recruiting helped Michigan maintain success as well, landing in the NCAA Tournament in five of the past seven years including 2022. Before Michigan, he worked at East Carolina, Liberty and Army.

Rogers also reports that one more potential assistant on Bakich’s Clemson staff would “raise some eyebrows” if it materializes.