No. 5 ranked Clemson Tigers emerged with a convincing 10-4 victory over North Carolina moving to the ACC Championship game. The Tigers’ explosive offense proved too much for their opponents to handle, propelling them to the championship game. Here’s a breakdown of how the game unfolded.
Clemson wasted no time flexing their muscles, racking up five runs in the opening inning. The standout performances of Caden Grice and Billy Amick played a crucial role in this early onslaught. Grice delivered a powerful two-run double, while Amick showcased his power with a two-run homer, taking his season tally to twelve. Adding to the Tigers’ dominance, Blake Wright hammered a solo homer, extending their lead and setting the tone for the game.
North Carolina managed to respond in the second inning, scoring a run to keep themselves in the mix. However, the Tigers swiftly reestablished their authority with Amick’s explosive two-run triple in the same inning, further extending their lead. Cooper Ingle contributed to the Tigers’ offensive onslaught with a well-executed run-scoring single in the third inning, boosting Clemson’s advantage to 8-1.
The game continued to thrill as both teams exchanged blows. Alberto Osuna ignited the fifth inning with a solo homer for Clemson, showcasing his power at the plate. In the sixth inning, Tomas Frick took his turn, launching a solo homer of his own, contributing to the Tigers’ growing run total. However, it was Cam Cannarella who stole the show in the sixth inning. With remarkable precision and timing, Cannarella delivered a sensational two-out, two-run triple, equaling an ACC Tournament record. This was Clemson’s third triple of the game. Frick capped off the Tigers’ stellar performance with his second homer of the game in the ninth inning, further solidifying their victory.
On the pitching front, Caden Grice delivered a masterful display, earning the win for Clemson. Grice’s stellar performance spanned 7.0 innings, during which he allowed a mere four hits, three runs, and just one walk while recording an impressive nine strikeouts. In contrast, North Carolina’s Connor Bovair endured a challenging outing, shouldering the loss after conceding five runs on five hits in a brief 0.2 innings pitched.
The Tigers advanced to the championship game of the ACC Tournament. They now await the winner of the semifinal clash between Wake Forest and Miami (Fla.), scheduled for Sunday at noon. Fans can catch the highly anticipated championship game live on ESPN2, as Clemson looks to cap off their impressive tournament run with a victory.
The team’s 10-run performance, coupled with Caden Grice’s exceptional pitching helped them advance to the championship game. Clemson’s last appearance in the championship game was in 2016, where they emerged victorious and secured the coveted title. As they prepare for the final showdown, Clemson aims to extend their winning streak to 16 games.
