CLEMSON, S.C. – No. 6th-ranked Clemson baseball team claimed a resounding 3-1 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Led by the outstanding performance of Caden Grice, who delivered a crucial two-run homer and pitched a solid 7.1 innings, Clemson extended its winning streak to 12 games and completed the series sweep, its third straight ACC series sweep. With this triumph, the Tigers improved their overall record to 39-17 and their ACC record to 20-10. On the other hand, the Tar Heels fell to 33-21 overall and 14-14 in ACC play.
Clemson Baseball: Player of the Game – Caden Grice
Grice, who showcased his exceptional skills on both sides of the game, secured the win with an outstanding pitching performance. He only gave up four hits, one run that wasn’t his fault, and two walks while getting nine batters out with strikeouts. Rob Hughes contributed to the Tigers’ success by pitching 1.2 innings and recording his second save of the year. Meanwhile, Tar Heel starter Dalton Pence endured a challenging outing, surrendering two runs on three hits in just 2.1 innings pitched, ultimately earning himself the loss.
The Tigers wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, as Grice’s two-run homer in the first inning set the tone for the game. This marked Grice’s 14th home run of the season, further solidifying his reputation as a dominant force in the lineup. In the sixth inning, the Tar Heels managed to cut Clemson’s lead in half with Tomas Frick’s sacrifice fly, but the Tigers swiftly responded in the eighth inning. Riley Bertram’s run-scoring double ensured that Clemson would secure the win with a comfortable two-run lead.
This Clemson victory marks the seventh consecutive series win in the ACC, representing its longest streak of success within a single season since its remarkable eight-series sweep in 1994. The team’s consistent performance and ability to dominate its conference opponents have firmly established it as a force to be reckoned with.
Looking Ahead to ACC Baseball Tournament
Clemson had a really good record of 39 wins and 17 losses overall, and they did well in their conference with 20 wins and 10 losses. Because of this, they got the No. 3 seed in the ACC Tournament, which everyone was really excited about. They enter Pool C alongside Boston College (34-17, 16-14), the No. 6 seed, and Virginia Tech (30-21, 12-17), the No. 10 seed. The tournament, hosted at the renowned Durham Bulls Athletic Park in North Carolina, promises a week-long extravaganza starting on Tuesday and culminating on Sunday. Clemson’s debut game, scheduled for either Wednesday or Thursday, will be broadcast on the widely watched ACC Network. Fans eagerly await the ACC’s forthcoming announcement, disclosing the team’s first opponent, along with the date and game time.
With their impressive series sweep over North Carolina, Clemson has continued to solidify its position as a powerhouse in college baseball. As the ACC Tournament approaches, all eyes will be on the Tigers as they aim to continue their winning ways and bring home another championship title.
