Photos by Jaylynn Nash/ACC
DURHAM BULLS ATHLETIC PARK: Clemson got another brilliant start from ace Aidan Knaak and Dominic Listi blistered Hokies pitching in the Tigers’ 6-1 victory at the ACC Championship tournament, Wednesday.
Knaak surrendered just one run through six innings against the Hokies six days after holding Pitt without a hit for 7.1 innings. The sophomore righthander gave up a leadoff homer to leftfielder Ben Watson, the only blemish on his record in the last two starts, but cruised from there. Knaak attacked the zone early with his fastball and got his changeup dipping and diving in the middle innings to keep the VT lineup off balance through 93 pitches.
Dominic Listi is also riding a hot streak, homering in both the season finale in Pittsburgh and the opener in Durham, Wednesday. Listi finished 2-for-3 with a double, home run and four RBI. Cam Cannarella (1-for-3) extended his hitting streak to 16 games and had a hand in two runs, scoring on a wild pitch and driving in the final run on a sacrifice fly. Jarren Purify had one of his best games since his return to the lineup, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
With the win, fifth-seeded Clemson (42-15) extends its winning streak to four and advances to a quarterfinal matchup against fourth-seeded NC State. Head coach Erik Bakich told SportsTalk earlier this week that Drew Titsworth will get the start against the Wolfpack. Clemson will be seeking revenge as the Tigers suffered a sweep at the hands of NC State in late April.
First pitch between the Tigers and the Wolfpack is scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday.
Box Score
ACC Championship bracket
