### Clemson's Dream of Omaha Ends After Error-filled Elimination Game

Clemson's journey to the College World Series came to a stumbling halt after a seven-error performance led to their defeat in the Clemson Regional elimination game at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The No. 11 overall seed Tigers, the regional's top seed, struggled defensively and suffered a resounding 16-4 defeat against No. 3 seed Kentucky.

Clemson's outfielder Dominic Listi reflected on the game, acknowledging the unusual nature of their performance. "I think sometimes you have to chalk it up to being a little bit of an anomaly," Listi said. "I truly don't think anything Kentucky did pushed us into feeling pressured. I just think we had an anomaly, and it happened to be, arguably, the worst part of the season to do that."

The Tigers' defense crumbled, committing seven errors while their pitchers allowed 13 hits, hit three batters, and walked four. The Wildcats capitalized on these mistakes, particularly during an 11-run outburst in the third and fourth innings that left Clemson reeling.

Clemson head coach Erik Bakich expressed his bewilderment at the performance. "We have not defended that poorly all year, so I do not know what led to it," Bakich stated. "It could have been something Kentucky was doing, but we've faced other teams in our league that try to run an action-offense that puts a lot of pressure on you as well."

Bakich took responsibility for the team's lackluster outing, emphasizing the difficulty of reaching Omaha. "It is hard to get to Omaha. People do not realize how hard it is to just go. Omaha is a lifestyle as much as it is a destination. You cannot leave anything short," he said.

Clemson's failure to advance marks the sixth time in their last seven home regionals they have fallen short. Despite the setback, Bakich remains determined to end the program's Omaha drought, which has persisted since 2010. "The way this regional went certainly stings," Bakich admitted. "We will dissect it from every angle and make sure we are doing everything in our power not to feel like this again."

Looking forward, Bakich reiterated his commitment to the program's long-term success. "Clemson baseball will be back in Omaha. That is going to happen, but in the same breath, you have to earn it every day. We are not leaving anything on the table," he declared.

While this year's journey ends in disappointment, the Tigers remain resolute in their pursuit of future College World Series glory.