Shohei Ohtani’s Record-Breaking Successor Set to Take on Clemson
The Clemson Tigers are rolling—and this weekend, they’ll try to keep the momentum alive in a high-profile home series featuring a national contender and a rising international sensation.
Fresh off a midweek win over Gardner-Webb, the No. 4-ranked Tigers return to Doug Kingsmore Stadium with their sights set on a three-game showdown against Stanford. At 31-5 overall and leading the ACC standings at 9-3, Clemson is firmly in the hunt for a top national seed. And with a No. 2 RPI—trailing only Arkansas—the postseason positioning is already under a microscope.
But this series brings more than just standings implications. It marks a rare meeting between two powerhouse programs that have only faced off twice in history—both in Omaha. Stanford sent Clemson home from the 1995 and 2000 College World Series, and now the Tigers get their first shot at payback in a regular season setting.
Headlining the weekend? Stanford’s Rintaro Sasaki, a freshman first baseman whose legend was already growing before he played a college game. The 270-pound slugger from Hanamaki, Japan, smashed Shohei Ohtani’s high school home run records and bypassed the Nippon Professional Baseball draft to chase a future in MLB. Sasaki, who opened the season on a tear, enters the Clemson series with a .280 average, four homers, and 25 RBI. While he’s cooled off in ACC play, his presence alone is drawing scouts and fans alike.
Stanford as a team has stumbled after a hot start, dropping nine straight ACC contests to fall to 5-10 in league play. But the offense remains dangerous, hitting .307 as a team and averaging nearly seven runs per game.
Clemson, meanwhile, has been dominant at home (20-3), with a steady offense and one of the nation’s most productive bullpens. Catcher Jacob Jarrell is coming off a two-homer game, and the Tigers’ staff boasts a 4.37 ERA with a deep, strikeout-heavy relief corps.
With national implications, future MLB talent on display, and a dash of Omaha history in the background, this isn’t just another ACC series—it’s a postseason preview disguised as an April weekend in Clemson.
Series Details
- When: Friday (6 p.m., ESPNU), Saturday (6 p.m., ACCN), Sunday (3 p.m., ACCN)
- Where: Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Clemson, S.C.
- Radio: Clemson Athletic Network (WCCP 105.5 FM)
- Streaming & Stats: ClemsonTigers.com
- Series History: Stanford leads 2-0 (both CWS matchups)
- Starting Pitchers: TBA for both teams
Expect plenty of fireworks—on the field and possibly from Sasaki’s bat.
