No. 5 Clemson clinched an impressive 11-5 victory over No. 8 Miami (Fla.) to capture the 2023 ACC Championship. Riley Bertram, making his mark as a Tiger, launched a monumental three-run homer in the seventh inning, securing the lead for Clemson during their explosive eight-run rally. This triumph not only marked Clemson’s 16th win in a row but also earned them their 16th ACC championship and 11th ACC Tournament title, their first since 2016.
Clemson’s dominance was evident from the start as they swiftly scored two runs in the opening inning. Caden Grice ignited the action with a run-scoring single, followed by Bertram’s clutch two-out single that brought another runner home. In the second inning, Cam Cannarella added to the excitement with a mighty solo homer, his sixth of the year. However, the Hurricanes managed to break through in the third inning when Jacoby Long delivered a run-scoring single, and a wild pitch allowed them to tack on an additional run with two outs. The game reached a 3-3 deadlock in the fourth inning when Zach Levenson smashed a solo homer for Miami.
The Hurricanes took the lead in the fifth inning courtesy of Blake Cyr’s timely two-out, run-scoring double, and they extended their advantage moments later with a bases-loaded walk. However, the seventh inning proved to be a turning point as Clemson unleashed their offensive firepower. Billy Amick ignited the surge with a run-scoring double, setting the stage for Bertram’s heroics. On a 2-2 pitch, he unleashed a memorable three-run homer to right field, propelling Clemson to a 7-5 lead. Not content with just that, the Tigers capitalized on an error to add another run before Will Taylor sealed the deal with a three-run homer, his fifth of the season.
The victory would not have been possible without the outstanding performance of reliever Jackson Lindley (3-3), who tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Alejandro Torres (4-1) suffered the loss for the Hurricanes, unable to stem Clemson’s relentless offensive onslaught.
Looking ahead, the highly anticipated announcement of the 16 NCAA regional host sites is scheduled for Sunday at 8:30 p.m., followed by the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at noon, which will be televised on ESPN2. Excitement and anticipation fill the air as teams await their fate in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
