Clemson head coach Monte Lee said earlier in the week that the Tigers just need to win series. With their overall record and RPI “fine” according to Lee, the only blemish on the Tigers’ resume was a 4-10 mark in the ACC heading into this weekend’s matchup with Florida State. On Sunday, Clemson clinched a coveted series victory with an 8-5 triumph over the Seminoles in the rubber game of their three-game set at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The win improved Clemson to 26-14 overall and 6-11 in the ACC. Meantime, the Seminoles fell to 24-15 on the year and 11-10 in the league. After starting conference action with four straight series losses, the Tigers have won two in a row as they begin to climb up the ACC leaderboard.
It did not appear early as if the Tigers would follow through on their head coach’s wishes, as Florida State struck for three runs in the top of the first inning. Clemson didn’t help matters as the home team committed two errors in the frame, leading to a pair of unearned runs. However in a contest in which both teams kicked the ball around the yard, the Seminoles would gift a few runs back to the Tigers as the afternoon moved along.
In the bottom of the second inning, Caden Grice would connect on his 8th home run of the season, a three-run blast to left field that tied the festivities at three runs apiece. The game remain deadlocked until the sixth when the visitors took advantage of a little more Upstate hospitality. After a lead-off throwing error and a one out walk, the Seminoles moved back in front on a two-run double from Jordan Carrion. For the afternoon, the Tigers were guilty of five errors leading to three unearned runs.
But in a game with ten combined errors, Florida State was hardly solid in the field. The Seminoles allowed a run in the sixth as Clemson capitalized on a wild pitch and throwing error. And all three of Clemson’s runs in the decisive eighth inning were unearned as FSU was charged with four errors in the frame.
Clemson reliever Ryan Ammons notched his first career win, allowing no runs and no hits in an inning and a third for the Tigers. Meanwhile, Davis Hare fell to 1-2 on the season for the ‘Noles despite not giving up an earned run in his one inning appearance.
The Tigers continue their homestand this Tuesday against Presbyterian College. First pitch is set for 6pm on the ACC Network Extra.
