Erik Bakich's strategic decision to change Clemson baseball's starting rotation helped the team win a series against Boston College. Aidan Knaak was moved from Game 1 to Game 3, marking a significant shift in the lineup.
Key points
Erik Bakich changed Clemson's starting pitching rotation
Aidan Knaak moved from Game 1 to Game 3
Clemson won the series against Boston College
Clemson is a longshot for the NCAA Tournament
The team has lost six conference series
Mentioned in this story
Erik Bakich
Boston CollegeClemson baseballAidan Knaak
How Erik Bakich's bold decision helped Clemson baseball win series vs Boston College
CLEMSON — Erik Bakich shook up Clemson baseball's starting pitching rotation, and his move led to bountiful results.
He moved ace pitcher Aidan Knaak from a Game 1 starter to a Game 3 instead, swapping places with Dane Moehler. It was Knaak's first time not being the starting pitcher of a series in the regular season since his freshman year in 2024.
Bakich's decision came as Clemson is a longshot to make the NCAA Tournament and the Tigers have lost six conference series.
The move helped Clemson beat No. 19 Boston College 4-3 in the series finale on May 3 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. It was the Tigers' second ACC series win and the first at home, and Clemson (28-20, 8-16 ACC) achieved it after dropping the series opener.
"We shuffled some things up, and it worked," Bakich said May 3. "That's what we were hoping for. It's one thing to have a plan. It's another thing to execute it, and today, (Knaak) looked good."
Clemson infielder Tyler Litchenberger (8) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the second inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Q&A
What was Erik Bakich's decision regarding Clemson baseball's pitching rotation?
Erik Bakich moved ace pitcher Aidan Knaak from starting Game 1 to starting Game 3, swapping him with Dane Moehler.
How did the pitching change impact Clemson's performance against Boston College?
The change in the pitching rotation led to Clemson winning the series against Boston College.
Why is Clemson baseball's NCAA Tournament qualification in jeopardy?
Clemson baseball is considered a longshot for the NCAA Tournament after losing six conference series.
When was the last time Aidan Knaak did not start a series for Clemson baseball?
Aidan Knaak's last time not starting a series in the regular season was during his freshman year in 2024.
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Clemson outfielder Bryce Clavon (1) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the second inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the third inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
John Kannarney is greeted by Clemson players and thanked for his military service as the team meets veterans during the middle of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson catcher Nate Savoie (99) it hit by pitch in the game with USC Upstate during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson infielder Tryston McCladdie (4) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson catcher Nate Savoie (99), left, Clemson infielder Luke Gaffney (16), and Clemson catcher Jacob Jarrell (9) talk at a break in the action, during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
USC Upstate sophomore Brad Benton (29) pitches to Clemson during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson infielder Jack Crighton (5) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the fifth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the fifth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the fifth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson infielder Tyler Litchenberger (8) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the second inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
1 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson infielder Tyler Litchenberger (8) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the second inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
2 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson outfielder Bryce Clavon (1) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the second inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
3 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the third inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
4 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
John Kannarney is greeted by Clemson players and thanked for his military service as the team meets veterans during the middle of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
5 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson catcher Nate Savoie (99) it hit by pitch in the game with USC Upstate during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson infielder Tryston McCladdie (4) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
7 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson catcher Nate Savoie (99), left, Clemson infielder Luke Gaffney (16), and Clemson catcher Jacob Jarrell (9) talk at a break in the action, during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
8 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
USC Upstate sophomore Brad Benton (29) pitches to Clemson during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson infielder Jack Crighton (5) bats against USC Upstate during the bottom of the fourth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
10 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the fifth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
11 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the fifth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
12 / 12
Clemson Tigers baseball vs USC Upstate Spartans see our best photos
Clemson sophomore Justin LeGuernic (33) pitches against USC Upstate during the top of the fifth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C. Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Bakich mixed up the rotation with hopes of Clemson getting hot to close the regular season and make the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. It also gave Knaak, who has struggled this season, the chance to watch Boston College's offense twice in person instead of film prep.
Knaak was his usual strikeout-artist self against the Eagles (35-16, 17-10), getting eight over 5⅓ innings. His performance helped him reach 300 career strikeouts, becoming the seventh player in school history to reach the mark and first since Ryan Mottl (1997-00).
He allowed all of Boston College's runs, gave up eight hits and one walk and hit one batter. Bakich said Knaak exited early because his pitch count reached 99 but thought it was a strong outing, keeping the finale close for Clemson to mount a comeback.
Still, it has been a shaky junior season for the right-hander. Knaak is 2-5 after finishing 5-1 as a freshman and 9-1 as a sophomore.
He has a 4.99 ERA and entered Game 3 with a 8.6% walk percentage and allowing a .266 batting average, all career lows. This has caused him to fall out of MLB.com's top 100 draft prospects after being ranked No. 71 earlier in the year.
Despite his struggles, Knaak is still a trusted starter for Clemson and counting on him to have more strong outings in the team's final two ACC series against No. 12 Florida State and Virginia Tech.
Bakich's decision helped Clemson earn its first ranked ACC win, and he said the Tigers likely stick with the plan against FSU.
"I mean screw it. Why not?" Bakich said. "I mean why change it back now? It worked."
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
