Chapel Hill, NC – North Carolina jumped on the Tigers early and cruised to an easy 10-3 victory.

The Tiger’s ace didn’t have his good stuff Saturday night.  Gossett went 3.0 innings and gave up ten hits, eight runs and eight earned runs.

Mike Kent pitched well for the Tigers in relief.  Kent went 5.0 innings and only gave up nine hits, two runs and two  earned runs.

North Carolina took command in the first inning.  The Heels scored four runs on five hits.

Clemson got on the board in the bottom of the third.  Tyler Slaton hit his second single of the day with two outs.  Steven Duggar followed with a single to left advancing Slaton to third.  Steve Wilkerson went down on strikes but reached third on a wild pitch while Slaton scored on the play.  Garrett Boulware hit one to deep center but it was caught to end the inning.  After the top of the third the Heels led 4-1.

In the bottom of the third North Carolina put the game away.  Two one-out singles and then a hit batter loaded the bases.  A sacrifice fly made it 5-1 before Matt Roberts hit a three run homerun to put the Heels up 8-1.

The Tigers threatened in the top of the fifth.  Tyler Krieger and Tyler Slaton both singled before Steven Duggar walked to load the bases.  Steve Wilkerson struck out, Garrett Boulware flied out and Shane Kennedy went down on strikes to leave the bases loaded.

North Carolina added another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth.

The Tigers added two runs in the top of the ninth.  Thomas Brittle singled up the middle.  Tyler Slaton walked with one out.  Steven Duggar doubled to score Brittle.  Steve Wilkerson hit a sacrifice fly to score Slaton.

Clemson fell to 16-10 overall and 5-5 in the ACC with the loss.  The Tigers and Heels will play game two Sunday night at 7 PM.