After Thursday’s loss at NC State, Clemson baseball was in a position it hadn’t been in all season: in jeopardy of losing a weekend series. On Friday night in Raleigh, that prospect became a reality. NC State scored eight runs through the middle innings while striking out twelve Tigers to pick up an 8-3 win and hand Clemson its first series loss of the year.
The victory upped NC State’s record to 29-12 overall and 14-6 in the ACC, while Clemson fell to 36-9 on the season and 13-7 in the league.
The Tigers drop to third place in the ACC standings while NC State moves into second place behind Florida State. Find top North Carolina Sportsbooks with the best promotions if you are interested in getting in on the action.
Collin Priest opened the second inning with his 10th home run of the year, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. In the third inning, Andrew Ciufo led off with Clemson’s 81st hit-by-pitch of the season to set a Tiger record, but he was ultimately stranded at third as Jarren Purify and Priest each struck out trying to add to Clemson’s lead.
NC State moved in front with three two-out singles in the fourth inning before Josh Hogue swatted a two-run homer in the fifth to extend the advantage to 4-1.
Jacob Jarrell led off the sixth inning with his 11th homer of the year, then Cam Cannarella hit an RBI ground out in the top of the seventh inning to narrow NC State’s lead to 4-3. But the Wolfpack responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame, capped by Alex Sosa’s three-run homer.
Heath Andrews (4-2) earned the win, as he allowed six hits, two runs, and one walk with nine strikeouts in a starting role. Andrew Shaffner pitched 3.0 innings to record his sixth save of the year. Tiger starter Drew Titsworth (4-1) suffered his first career loss, as he yielded eight hits, four runs, and one walk with four strikeouts in 4.0 innings pitched.
The series concludes Saturday at 1 p.m.