Instant Replay: NC State 8 Clemson 3
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net March 8, 2015

By Trey McCurry.

RALEIGH, NC — Here is a look back at Clemson’s (8-5, 1-1 ACC) 8-3 loss to NC State (8-4, 1-1 ACC) on Saturday afternoon at Doak Field.

 

 

 

What happened?

The Wolfpack struck first with a pair of two-run homers in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the next frame, NC State scored three more runs on another homer to take a 7-0 lead. The Tigers would finally get on the board in the fourth inning. Chris Okey led off the inning with a single and Western Wilson followed with his fourth homer of the year to cut the Wolfpack lead to 7-2. Clemson added another run in the fifth inning as Okey doubled down the left field line to score Steven Duggar and cut the deficit to 7-3. NC State would add a final run on a solo shot in the eighth to make the final tally 8-3 in favor of the Wolfpack.

 

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changed in the first and second innings as NC State scored seven runs on three swings as the Wolfpack hit three homers over the first two frames. Although NC State totaled eight hits in the two innings, all seven runs actually came in to score on homers.

Clemson looked to be building a rally in the third inning, but a terrible call on a “catch” down the left field line thwarted the rally as the end result of the play was an inning-ending double play instead of the Tigers having the bases loaded with one out. Though the Tigers were able to add three runs over the next two innings, the wild ending to the third inning definitely had an effect on the game.

What went right?

Despite allowing a couple runs on six hits, Clate Schmidt pitched well in relief. His 5.2 innings really saved the Tiger bullpen for Sunday and he battled to keep Clemson within striking distance over the middle innings. Reed Rohlman and Tyler Krieger continued hot starts with two hits apiece while Okey and Andrew Cox also added two hits each. Defensively, the Tigers played good defense turning two double plays on the infield and not committing an error. 

What went wrong?

On a day where the wind was blowing out to left, Zack Erwin had a start to forget as NC State took advantage with two first inning homers. Erwin allowed six runs on five hits and did not make it out of the second inning. Clemson again missed some chances offensively as they stranded 11 runners in the contest.