Clemson Baseball Defeats NC State 7-6 in Thrilling ACC Tournament Matchup
No. 5 Clemson secured a narrow 7-6 victory over No. 4 NC State on Thursday evening at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, North Carolina, in what proved to be a closely contested ACC Tournament game that lasted 3 hours and 23 minutes before 4,866 fans.
Pitching Performance Drives Clemson Victory
The Tigers’ pitching staff, led by starter Drew Titsworth, delivered a solid performance that proved decisive in the one-run victory. Titsworth worked five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out six batters and walking none. The sophomore right-hander, who earned ACC Pitcher of the Week honors earlier this season for his dominant performance against Louisville, continued his strong campaign with another quality start in tournament play.
Lucas Mahlstedt earned the victory in relief, improving his record to 3-0 on the season. The right-hander’s performance was crucial in preserving the Tigers’ lead during the middle innings. NC State’s Anderson Nance took the loss, falling to 8-2 on the year despite entering the game with a solid 4.00 ERA.
Clemson threw 150 total pitches compared to NC State’s 163, with the Tigers maintaining a 64% strike percentage against the Wolfpack’s 63.2%. Clemson’s bullpen proved more effective in crucial situations, allowing just one earned run over four innings of relief work.
Offense in Early Innings
The game remained scoreless through the first inning before both offenses came alive. Clemson struck first in the top of the second inning when Jacob Jarrell delivered a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Dominic Listi and giving the Tigers a 1-0 advantage.
NC State responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-run rally. Justin DeCriscio singled to center field, driving in McHugh to tie the game at 1-1. Hogue then scored on a wild pitch, giving the Wolfpack a 2-1 lead.
Clemson’s offense found its rhythm in the fifth inning with a two-run outburst. Andrew Ciufo executed a perfectly placed suicide squeeze bunt single to the pitcher, allowing Jack Crighton to score and tie the game at 2-2. Jarren Purify followed with another crucial suicide squeeze bunt single to first base, advancing Cam Cannarella to second and allowing Ciufo to score, putting Clemson ahead 3-2. NC State answered in the bottom of the fifth when Heavner grounded out to third base, scoring Head to tie the game at 3-3.
Late-Game Drama Determines Outcome
The sixth inning saw the lead change hands again. Jarrell launched a home run to center field, his eighth of the season, putting Clemson ahead 4-3.
NC State refused to surrender, mounting a response in the bottom of the sixth with two runs. DeCriscio singled to left field, advancing Hogue to third base and scoring McHugh to tie the game at 4-4. The Wolfpack then took a 5-4 lead when Alex Sosa singled to right center, advancing DeCriscio to second and scoring Hogue.
The eighth inning proved decisive for Clemson’s victory. Entering the inning trailing 5-4, Jarrell continued his outstanding performance with an RBI single to left center, scoring Josh Paino to tie the game at 5-5. The Tigers regained the lead when TP Wentworth singled down the right field line, advancing Crighton to third base and allowing Jarrell to score, making it 6-5. Ciufo capped the Clemson scoring with another RBI single through the left side, advancing Wentworth to second and allowing Crighton to score, extending the lead to 7-5. NC State managed one run in the bottom of the eighth when Fraasman singled through the right side, advancing Sosa to third and scoring DeCriscio, but Fraasman was thrown out at second base on the play, making the final score 7-6.
Clemson’s Offensive Leaders
Jacob Jarrell led the Tigers’ attack with a 2-for-3 performance, including his eighth home run of the season and three RBIs. Jack Crighton provided consistent production with a 3-for-5 showing, scoring multiple runs throughout the contest. Andrew Ciufo contributed two RBIs on a 2-for-4 effort, delivering key hits in crucial situations. Cam Cannarella went 4-for-5 with a .343 batting average, setting the table throughout the lineup.
Looking Ahead
This victory advance Clemson to play No. 1 seed Georgia Tech in the semifinals on Saturday at 1 p.m. on ACC Network. Clemson is the designated visiting team and occupies the first-base dugout. The Tigers’ ability to respond to adversity, particularly after falling behind 3-1, demonstrated the resilience that has characterized their season. The offensive production from multiple players, combined with effective pitching in crucial moments, provides momentum as Clemson continues tournament play.
