Clemson starting pitcher Ethan Darden was good, Friday, but Wake Forest’s Chase Burns was pure magic. The Demon Deacons righthander tied hitters in knots and made Clemson’s offense disappear, striking out 16 to help Wake claim a 4-2 win in the series opener in Winston-Salem, NC.
Burns (10-1), who starred at Tennessee prior to transferring to Wake Forest this offseason, set a career-high in strikeouts and held Clemson to one run in seven innings of work. Darden (5-3) scattered six hits over seven innings but gave up a pair of homers that proved to be the difference.
The Tigers had scored 81 runs over their previous seven games (11.57/game) before running into a buzzsaw, Friday. Clemson was able to scratch out a run against Wake’s bullpen before closer Cole Roland entered and cut the rally short.
Jacob Hinderleider extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a homer in the fourth inning. Wake Forest (34-16, 13-12) has a streak of its own going, having won its last seven games.
Clemson (37-11, 17-8) will look to put a halt to that win streak at 4 p.m., Saturday.