Duke exploded for 10 runs in the seventh inning Saturday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, erasing a five-run deficit to defeat No. 6 Clemson, 15-10. The victory leveled the three-game series at one win apiece and left both teams with identical 15-11 conference records. The rubber match is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.
The Blue Devils struck first in the top of the opening frame as AJ Gracia launched a towering solo home run to right field. Clemson responded emphatically in the bottom of the first, with Josh Paino connecting for a three-run homer-his 10th of the season-and the Tigers tacking on three additional runs, highlighted by Andrew Ciufo’s two-out, run-scoring single, to take a 6-1 lead.
Duke began chipping away immediately. Macon Winslow led off the second with a solo home run, and Gracia led off the third with his second homer of the game. Later in the third, Ben Rounds singled in another run to make it 6-4. Rounds then cut the deficit to one with a solo shot to open the fifth inning.
The game turned in the top of the seventh. With two outs and the bases loaded, a potential inning-ending double play grounder was misplayed by Clemson, allowing the tying run to score. Duke capitalized, plating 10 runs-nine with two outs-on just four hits. Jake Hyde’s two-out single drove in the go-ahead runs, and Sam Harris’ double later in the inning capped the rally, pushing the Blue Devils ahead, 15-6.
Clemson attempted to answer in the bottom of the seventh. Cam Cannarella extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a two-out single, and Jack Crighton drew a bases-loaded walk. The Tigers scored three runs in the frame, two of which came on an error, but could not close the gap.
On the mound, Duke’s Gabe Nard delivered a pivotal relief outing, tossing three hitless innings and striking out a career-high seven batters to stabilize the game for the Blue Devils. Reid Easterly earned the win with two scoreless innings, while Jacob McGovern took the loss for Clemson.
The result leaves both teams tied in the ACC standings heading into Sunday’s series finale, with significant implications for postseason seeding. The Tigers will look to rebound and secure the series win in what is expected to be a tightly contested matchup.
