Clemson’s Caden Grice became an instant hero on Saturday night with his grand slam on a 1-2 pitch in the eighth inning, giving the Tigers the lead for good in their 9-7 victory over NC State at Doak Field. The win improved Clemson’s record to 24-16 overall and 8-9 in the ACC, while NC State fell to 25-13 overall and 8-11 in the ACC.
The Tigers got off to a fast start, scoring four runs in the first inning thanks to Will Taylor’s two-run double, Blake Wright’s RBI fielder’s choice, and Riley Bertram’s two-out, run-scoring double. Cooper Ingle also extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a bunt single in the frame. NC State finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Will Marcy, and later in the inning, the Wolfpack scored two more runs without the ball leaving the infield.
The sixth inning was a turning point in the game, as NC State loaded the bases without the ball leaving the infield, then Jacob Cozart ripped a two-out, three-run triple to give the Wolfpack a 6-4 lead. Billy Amick’s two-out single in the seventh inning scored a run and cut NC State’s lead in half. In the eighth inning, two-out walks by Ingle and Taylor set up Grice’s heroics, as he launched a 440-foot grand slam to right field, his ninth home run and a second grand slam of the year. Cozart blasted a leadoff homer in the ninth inning, but the Tigers held on for the win.
Grice’s grand slam was a thing of beauty. On a 1-2 pitch, he got all of the ball and sent it soaring over the right-field wall, stunning the NC State faithful and sending the Clemson dugout into a frenzy. It was a clutch hit that the Tigers desperately needed, and Grice delivered in a big way.
The win was also a testament to the resiliency of the Clemson squad. After NC State took a 6-4 lead in the sixth inning, it would have been easy for the Tigers to fold and let the game slip away. But instead, they battled back, chipping away at the lead and eventually taking the lead for good with Grice’s grand slam. It was a gutsy performance by a team that refused to give up.
Reed Garris earned the win for Clemson, improving his record to 3-0 on the season. Ryan Ammons pitched two scoreless innings to record his first save of the year. Rio Britton suffered the loss for NC State.
The win was also significant for Clemson in terms of their ACC standings. With the victory, they improved to 8-9 in conference play, moving them closer to .500 and keeping them in the hunt for a spot in the ACC Tournament. It was a critical win for a team that has struggled at times this season.
Caden Grice’s grand slam was the defining moment of Clemson’s 9-7 victory over NC State on Saturday night. It was a clutch hit that gave the Tigers the lead for good and helped them secure a crucial win in conference play. For the second time this season, Grice hit a grand slam to deliver his team the win.
Clemson fans will remember it for a long time, and it was a performance that showed the resiliency and heart of this Tigers team. With the win, Clemson improved to 24-16 overall and 8-9 in the ACC, while NC State fell to 25-13 overall and 8-11 in the ACC. The Tigers will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push toward the ACC Tournament.
