Clemson couldn’t fend off Virginia’s rally and the Tigers dropped the rubber game of their series 6-5 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Sunday. Clemson (15-13, 9-9) held a 4-3 lead heading into the seventh, but the Cavaliers plated three unearned runs off Tigers closer Geoffrey Gilbert to take control of the game and clinch the series.
Gilbert retired the first batter in the seventh before second baseman Elijah Henderson’s error sparked a Virginia rally. The Cavaliers went on to score three runs with two outs on three singles and a walk. Clemson would close the gap to 6-5 with a run in the eighth, but left runners on second and third in the ninth inning. The Tigers hit just 3 of 16 with runners in scoring position and left eight stranded. Gilbert (1-3, 1.88) suffered the loss despite not giving up an earned run in 2 and 2/3 innings. Freshman Nick Hoffman got a no-decision after giving up three runs in 4 and 1/3 innings.
James Parker, Caden Grice, Adam Hackenberg, Bryar Hawkins and Henderson drove in one run, apiece for Clemson. The Tigers are now just 1-5 in one-run games this season.
Clemson returns to action at 6 p.m., Tuesday, playing host to College of Charleston before traveling to Coral Gables, Fla., Friday for a 3-game series against Miami.
