Tigers wrap sweep of Xavier in back-and-forth battle

Clemson totaled 14 hits in the win. (Merrell Mann photo)CLEMSON - In a back-and-forth game that featured 22 hits and the bases loaded at least once in five different innings, No. 9 Clemson pulled away late to win the last game of the series 11-7 and sweep Xavier to start the season.

The action started right away in the first inning, with Xavier striking first once again. With two outs and two runners on base, graduate infielder Jared Cushing hit a single, sending graduate outfielder home to give the Musketeers the 1-0 lead. Clemson quickly responded in the bottom of the inning.

With freshman infielder Nolan Nawrocki on second and sophomore outfielder Cam Cannarella on third, senior infielder…