The Clemson Tigers find themselves 33-6 overall and 11-4 Atlantic Coast Conference play after beating the Stanford Cardinal in their weekend series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Throughout the whole season, Clemson has been one of the best teams in all of college baseball, and head coach Erik Bakich’s team has many weapons. However, very few of them have been bigger than reliever Lucas Mahlstedt. The sidearm-throwing southpaw from Ormond Beach, Fla., has been one of college baseball’s best bullpen pitchers.
This season, Mahlstedt has a 0.91 ERA in 29 2/3 innings of work. He has struck out 43 batters compared to just five walks. He has 12 saves this season, which leads the country.
He earned his 12th save of the season against Stanford last Saturday. He went three innings and struck out five batters, which was a season high. He also gave up no earned runs, which made it the fourth straight appearance where he held the opposition scoreless.
Bakich spoke about how the relievers played in the second half of this game to the media. This included a mention of Mahlstedt.
“They [Stanford] have a really good offense… it shows how good Reed Garris and Lucas Mahlstedt were today. I thought those two were the difference,” Bakich said.
All of this makes Mahlstedt a fine candidate, and arguably the front runner, for the National College Baseball Writer’s Association’s Stopper of the Year Award, given to the best reliever in college baseball.
For Clemson to continue its big-time success this season, Mahlstedt’s play will be big in shutting down games. Thus far, he has been one of the most valuable players in all of college baseball.
Up Next – Clemson does not have a midweek game this upcoming week. They will instead wait until Thursday, April 17, to take on the Louisville Cardinals at home in Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The first pitch for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT.
Photo: Clemson pitcher Lucas Mahlstedt (47) throws during an NCAA baseball game against Oklahoma State on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Clemson won 6-5. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
