The Tigers dropped their second consecutive game to the Deacs with a final score of 4-3 to lose the series. Wake Forest got the bats started early with two base hits in the first inning including a solo home run by Lucas Costello.
Clemson freshman Cam Cannarella opened up the bottom half with an infield single but the Tigers weren’t able to scratch across a run.
Unfortunately for the Tigers Joe Allen was pulled after just 1-⅓ innings pitched. Allen struggled with command in his short outing giving up three walks and three hits including the home run in the first. Clemson would turn the ball over to senior Nick Clayton, with the bases loaded and one out in the top of the second. Clayton would wind up striking out the next two batters to get out of the jam.
Clemson loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth after Ben Blackwell was hit by a pitch and senior Riley Bertram delivered a two run single to tie the game but was thrown out going for second to end the inning.
The Tigers were able to chase the Wake Forest starter Sean Sullivan in the 6th inning after he pitched a very solid 5.0 innings, Clemson had the bases loaded with nobody out and Blake Wright would contribute a sac fly to center field to give the tigers the lead for the first time in the series.
Nick Clayton’s day was done going into the 7th inning. His final statline was 4.2 innings pitched allowing just 3 hits, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts. Clemson coach Erik Bakich would turn the game over to sophomore from Mount Pleasant, SC Reed Garris. Garris would surrender two, walks and a long fly ball off the bat of Katz would give Clemson a scare, but Lleyton Lackey would track the ball down a step shy of the wall to maintain the lead.
The night was not done for the bullpen as Bakich would bring in the closer, Jackson Lindley in the eighth inning with a runner on second base with nobody out. Lindley can’t get out of the inning without surrendering the run to tie the game in the eighth inning however. Clemson would give up the lead in the top of the ninth and get runners on second and third with two outs and a questionable “non balk” call. Cooper Ingle would ground out to second base to end the game.
The final game of this series will be tomorrow (4/1) at Doug Kingsmore Stadium at 2pm.
Article Contributed By: Drew Watts
