The No. 2 Clemson Tigers continued ACC play this past weekend in Coral Gables, Florida, where they took on the Miami Hurricanes. After a tumultuous few days of play, the Tigers were able clench a final, dominant win on Saturday.
The Tigers could not close out the series opener, losing 3-2 as graduate pitcher Rob Hughes blew his first save of the season. Clemson was up 2-1 in the ninth when Hughes allowed a two-run homer off of Jack Scanlon, effectively walking off the Tigers.
Though Miami struck early in the first inning, the Tigers were not going to be kept down for long. They were able to plate runs in the second and third innings to take the lead through the ninth thanks to quality pitching from Matthew Marchal; Marchal turned in a solid outing, throwing four innings and allowing just one run while striking out three.
But despite an early loss, the Tigers were to bounce back to flip the score and win the second game 3-2. In game two of the series on Friday, Clemson took an early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Though Miami plated one in the first’s home half, Clemson added another run in the fourth, extending its lead to two.
Clemson’s bullpen pitched an impressive total of six scoreless frames. Lefty Ethan Darden allowed one more run in the fourth before Nick Clayton came in to escape the jam, going on to throw three scoreless innings.
The Tigers secured the series win on Saturday afternoon behind an excellent start from freshman right-hander Aidan Knaak. The starter threw seven strong innings, allowing only two hits from the Hurricanes in separate innings. Knaak only walked one player while striking out a season-high 10 batters.
Meanwhile, Clemson’s offense got started early, scoring three runs in the first. Star sophomore Cam Cannarella put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh when he drilled a three RBI double down the third baseline, effectively extending the Tigers’ lead to seven.
The Tigers will be back in action on Tuesday against USC Upstate at 6 p.m. in Greenville.
https://www.ncaa.com/rankings/baseball/d1/d1baseballcom-top-25
