For the first time this season, the Clemson Tigers were able to bring their brooms to the ballpark during an ACC series. After dropping the first game during each of their previous conference weekends, the Tigers picked up a 10-2 win over NC State on Friday. Clemson then used that momentum to record a three-game sweep of the Wolfpack, putting the exclamation point on the series with an 8-5 victory on Sunday. According to Clemson, it’s the first three-game sweep of the Wolfpack since 2010 and the Tigers first sweep in Raleigh since 2009.
Clemson (25-16/9-9) grabbed a 1-0 lead as Riley Bertram scored on a wild pitch in the top of the second, but it was the next at-bat that provided separation for the Tigers. The orange and white scored five times in the top of the third, collecting five straight hits to begin the frame. All told, the visitors bashed out seven hits, including a two-run double from Will Taylor and another run on a wild pitch, this time with Billy Amick touching home plate.
NC State (25-14/8-12) plated an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning without the benefit of a hit, then Cannon Peebles belted the first of his two homeruns on the day. Peebles two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth cut the Tigers advantage in half. Benjamin Blackwell responded with a bloop single with two outs to score a run in the top of the fifth inning, with the Wolfpack manufacturing a run in the bottom of the fifth to narrow Clemson’s lead to 7-4.
Cam Cannarella and Peebles each homered in the top and bottom of the sixth to make it 8-5 Clemson heading into the seventh, and from there, the bullpens were in control.
Tiger starter Caden Grice (3-1) earned the win by pitching six strong innings. The junior allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks with a career-high-tying eight strikeouts. Tristan Smith pitched the ninth inning to record his second save of the year. NC State starter Matt Willadsen (4-3) suffered the loss, yielding six runs on 10 hits in two and two-thirds innings of work.
The Tigers host Kennesaw State at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Tuesday at 6pm.
