The Clemson baseball team is coming off an impressive midweek victory against No. 8 Coastal Carolina, and they look to continue their hot streak as they head to Blacksburg, Virginia for their final regular-season road series against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Tigers are currently 32-17 overall and 14-10 in ACC play, while the Hokies are 29-16 overall and 11-12 in ACC play. This series could have major implications on the ACC standings and both teams will be looking to gain momentum heading into the postseason.
Clemson has been on fire lately, winning 10 of their last 11 games and 15 of their last 18 games. Their offense has been the driving force behind their success, averaging 7.0 runs per game and hitting .298 as a team. Sophomore outfielder Kier Meredith has been a catalyst for the Tigers, hitting .354 with 16 stolen bases and 27 runs scored. Freshman infielder Caden Grice has also been impressive, hitting .292 with 13 home runs and 46 RBI.
Clemson Baseball Ethan Darden on Friday night starter
Darden has been solid for the Tigers this season, posting a 4-1 record with a 3.86 ERA in 53.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 49 batters and walked 16. On Saturday, the Tigers will send out right-hander Austin Gordon, who is 3-2 with a 4.71 ERA in 42 innings pitched. He has struck out 43 batters and walked 16. On Sunday, they will turn to freshman left-hander Caden Grice, who has been a standout both on the mound and at the plate this season. Grice is 6-0 with a 3.32 ERA in 43.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 49 batters and walked 24.
The Virginia Tech Hokies have been impressive at home this season, posting a 21-7 record at English Field. Their offense is averaging 9.2 runs per game and hitting .302 as a team. They are led by sophomore outfielder Jack Hurley, who is hitting .342 with 16 home runs and 45 RBI. Junior infielder Tanner Schobel is also having a strong season, hitting .337 with 8 home runs and 45 RBI. As a team, they have hit 72 home runs this season, which ranks second in the ACC.
On the mound, the Hokies will likely start left-hander Chris Gerard on Friday. Gerard is 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA in 12.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 12 batters and walked 7. On Saturday, they will likely turn to right-hander Anthony Simonelli, who is 5-1 with a 4.64 ERA in 42.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 52 batters and walked 13. On Sunday, they will likely start right-hander Jaison Heard, who is 3-1 with a 4.42 ERA in 18.1 innings pitched. He has struck out 18 batters and walked 7.
Clemson vs Virginia Tech Baseball Series
This series could have major implications on the ACC standings, as both teams are fighting for positioning heading into the postseason. The Tigers currently sit in fourth place in the ACC standings, while the Hokies are in eighth place. With only two weekends left in the regular season, every game is crucial.
The Tigers have been dominant in ACC play lately, winning five straight conference series. This is the first time they have accomplished that feat since 2017, when they won their first five ACC series. Their offense has been the driving force behind their success, but their pitching has also been solid. They have a team ERA of 4.45, which ranks fifth in the ACC.
The Hokies have also been solid in ACC play, winning six of their last nine conference games. They have a team ERA of 5.25, which ranks tenth in the ACC. Their offense has been their strength, as they lead the ACC in runs scored (429), home runs (72), and slugging percentage (.502).
This series should be a high-scoring affair, as both teams have potent offenses. The Tigers will look to continue their hot streak and gain momentum heading into the postseason, while the Hokies will look to defend their home turf and climb up the ACC standings. This will be a crucial series for both teams, and it should be an entertaining one for fans of college baseball.
