The No. 2 Wake Forest Demon Deacons put on a stunning display of baseball prowess against the Clemson Tigers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday afternoon, completing a three-game sweep with a 6-5 victory. The star of the show was none other than the junior left-hander, Josh Hartle, whose pitching was nothing short of phenomenal. He threw seven strong innings, allowing only one run and five hits while racking up an impressive eight strikeouts.
With this win, Wake Forest improved its record to 26-3 overall and 10-2 in the ACC, while Clemson fell to 16-13 overall and 2-7 in ACC play. Hartle, who now boasts a 6-1 record for the season, was utterly dominant from the start. He retired the first nine batters he faced, and it wasn’t until the second inning that the Tigers finally managed to score a run off him, thanks to Cam Cannarella’s single. Despite this, Hartle remained unflappable and didn’t give up any more runs.
As Hartle continued to dazzle on the mound, Wake Forest’s offense began to awaken from its slumber in the fourth inning. Pierce Bennett hit a stunning double on an 0-2 pitch, driving in two runs and giving the Demon Deacons a 2-1 lead. The team went on to score single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, extending their lead to 5-1.
But the Tigers were not to be underestimated, and they mounted a fierce comeback in the ninth inning. Although they were trailing 6-2, Caden Grice stepped up to the plate and hit a solo homer, his seventh of the year, making it a 6-3 game. Then pinch-hitter Jacob Jarrell hit a two-out, two-run double to bring the Tigers within one run of tying the game. However, Cole Roland managed to retire Cooper Ingle, ending the game and clinching the sweep for Wake Forest.
Despite the loss, Clemson’s Grice also had an impressive outing on the mound, tying his career highs for innings pitched (5.0) and strikeouts (8). He gave up just two hits and three runs but was done in by five walks.
Other standout performers for Wake Forest included Lucas Costello, who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and Nick Kurtz, who hit a run-scoring double. Pierce Bennett also deserves a mention for his impressive fourth-inning double, which drove in two runs.
The sweep was a clear indication of Wake Forest’s emergence as one of the top teams in the country this season. With their potent offense and strong pitching staff, the Demon Deacons are a formidable force in the ACC and beyond. On the other hand, the series was a disappointing one for Clemson, which continues to struggle in conference play. Nevertheless, there were some positives to take away, such as Grice’s stellar performance on the mound and the late rally in the ninth inning.
Clemson’s next matchup is against Coastal Carolina on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to see whether the Tigers can bounce back from this defeat and put on a better performance.
