The Clemson baseball team fell short of another late comeback, losing to the Miami Hurricanes by a score of 8-7 at Truist Field in the Tigers’ first game of pool play in the ACC Tournament.
With the win, the Hurricanes have won both of their contests in Pool B, advancing to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. Clemson, the reigning champions, will not be repeating following only their first tournament contest.
The Tigers (40-14) almost mounted another comeback, but a long line drive from Tristan Bissetta would be caught at the warning track by Edgardo Villegas, ending the game in the top of the ninth with a 1-run loss.
After the Hurricanes scored a run in the first inning, the Tigers would get some help from freshman Jarren Purify, who used a double to bring in two Clemson runners to take an early lead in the second inning.
It would not be long though, as Miami (27-29) tacked on five runs on Clemson’s starting pitcher, Ethan Darden, at the bottom of the frame. Coming from a home run by Antonio Jimenez and a 2-run double by Daniel Cuvet, Miami would take a 6-2 lead and gain control of the rest of the game.
The Tigers added one run each in the third and seventh innings from a Jacob Hinderleider passed ball and a Jarren Purify run, respectively. In the eighth, momentum began shifting back to the ACC’s No. 2 seed, with a double each from Jimmy Obertop and Bissetta bringing the game to a 7-6 game entering the bottom of the eighth.
After Miami would get more run support at the bottom of the frame, Hinderleider would continue the momentum at the top of the ninth, nailing a solo home run into center field to bring the Tigers back within one run. Blake Wright would walk a batter later, putting the go-ahead run at the plate before the Hurricanes were able to shut it down and advance to the next round.
Darden would receive the loss, only completing 1.1 innings of play. He would strike out only one batter while allowing five runs. In relief, Lucas Mahlstedt would pitch the majority of the contest, pitching four innings and allowing one run.
On the winning end, Gage Ziehl would get the win for Miami while Myles Caba would earn his fifth save of the season.
Despite missing the next round, the Tigers will play their final game of pool play against the No. 7-seeded Louisville Cardinals on Friday afternoon. The first pitch will be at 3 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the ACC Network.
