(Clemson University Athletics Communications)
North Carolina knocked around Clemson’s Davis Sharpe as the Tar Heels took Game 1 of the series in Chapel Hill, 8-3, Friday. Sharpe wasn’t at his best, surrendering six earned runs in five innings, but the Tigers lineup did little to support their ace. Clemson (5-6, 1-3) managed only six base runners while racking up 14 strikeouts.
Caden Grice’s fifth home run of the season staked Sharpe (2-1, 6.93) to a two-run lead after the opening frame, but the Heels got to the junior right hander with a two-run second inning and added four runs in the third. It was Sharpe’s first loss of the season but the fourth in a row for a scuffling Tigers club.
Clemson will try to even the series at 2 p.m., Saturday. Freshman right hander Ty Olenchuk (1-1, 2.77) is scheduled to make his fourth start of the season.