ACC Tournament: #Clemson comeback falls (inches) short (AUDIO)

**Miami (Fl) got to Clemson starter Ethan Darden early in Charlotte (Nell Redmond/ACC)**

Charlotte: Following a regular season that was full of dramatic come-from-behind victories and memorable walk-offs, Clemson’s players may feel strange seeing their rally fizzle at the finish. After falling behind Miami (Fl) by four runs early, the Tigers comeback effort fell one run shy and a few inches short in an 8-7 loss at the ACC Championship, Thursday.

Clemson scored a run in the seventh inning and two more in the eighth to close the gap and set the stage for a tense final act. In the bottom of the eighth, the Hurricanes picked up an insurance run on a homer from pinch-hitter Jake Kulikowski. That left Clemson in need of two runs to extend the game. Jacob Hinderleider got half the work done on a single swing, launching a solo homer to straightaway center on the third pitch of the inning.

The next batter, Blake Wright, walked on five pitches. Cam Cannarella, who had tripled and scored in the eighth, misjudged a 2-0 fastball and popped out to the shortstop. Jimmy Obertop could do no better, grounding into a fielder’s choice. With two outs and the tying run on first, Tristan Bissetta dug in against Canes’ closer Myles Caba. Bissetta had already contributed an RBI double in the eighth and a laser-like throw from left field to cut down a runner at the plate in the fourth.

With the count at a ball and a strike, Bissetta took a mighty hack, lifting the ball towards the terrace beyond the left field fence. The assembled fans, some in Miami green but more in Clemson orange, shouted instructions at the ball. Miami’s left fielder, Edgardo Villegas, drifted onto the warning track, collected himself, and made a leaping catch to spoil the comeback and end the game. Villegas, the runner who had been thrown out by Bissetta at the plate, had seized on the opportunity to exact revenge and send his club into Saturday’s semifinals.

Tigers starter Ethan Darden didn’t have his best stuff, surrendering five earned runs in just 1.1 innings. Submariner Lucas Mahlstedt kept Clemson in it with four solid innings of relief. In his postgame comments, head coach Erik Bakich made it clear that Mahlstedt has earned his trust and will be a big part of his bullpen plans in the upcoming NCAA Regional.

Clemson (40-13) will have one more game at Truist Field in Charlotte, but due to the pool play format, their matchup with Louisville will have no impact on the ACC Championship. First pitch between the Cardinals and the Tigers is set for 3 p.m., Friday.