All-Americans in Clemson
Clemson Tigers superstar Cam Cannarella and closer Lucas Mahlstedt, who notched 15 saves on the season, both received All-American honors by Perfect Game on Tuesday, June 10. This marked the third year in a row that Clemson had multiple All-Americans, with Lucas Mahlstedt receiving first-team honors and Cam Cannarella receiving third-team honors.
Cannarella, the Hartsville, South Carolina native, is the first Tiger to receive All-American honors in multiple seasons since the legendary Seth Beer did it from 2016-2018. Cannarella received All-American honors last season as a member of the third-team. Lucas Mahlstedt is the first Clemson reliever to be an All-American since Riley Gilliam in 2018, and the first to be a part of the first-team since Pat Krall in 2016.
Lucas Mahlstedt had an unbelievable season with the Tigers this season as the Senior recorded 15 saves, tying the school record. The Tigers closer notched a 4-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and 61 strikeouts in just 48 innings pitched. Mahlstedt was Erik Bakich’s go-to guy this season whenever the score got close late in the game.
In his two years with Clemson, the Florida native was 8-2 with a 3.91 ERA in 101.1 innings pitched. His 16 career saves are sixth all-time in Clemson history. It will be extremely difficult to replace Mahlstedt’s production this season, as he has run out of collegiate eligibility.
Cam Cannarella was Clemson’s biggest offensive threat yet again. The Tigers superstar tallied a .353 batting average, .479 on-base percentage, .530 slugging percentage, and a 1.009 OPS. Along with those numbers, Cannarella hit five home runs, two triples and 22 doubles, driving in 52 runners. Although he had a sluggish start to the season, Cannarella finished the year with a 44-game on-base streak and a 22-game hitting streak.
During his hitting streak he had a whopping .421 batting average, .491 on-base percentage, a .684 slugging percentage, and a 1.175 OPS, along with four home runs, a triple and 11 doubles. In his three years with Clemson, Cannarella tallied a .360 batting average, .453 on-base percentage, .551 slugging percentage, and a 1.004 OPS, with 262 hits, 54 doubles, eight triples, 23 home runs, 159 runs batted in, and 30 steals in 178 games.
Both players had outstanding seasons and careers for Clemson, and will always be remembered by the Doug Kingsmore faithful for their contributions to the program. Replacing Mahlstedt and Cannarella will be both challenging and exciting, as a new chapter of Clemson baseball commences.
