By Trey McCurry.

CLEMSON, SC — Here is a look back at Clemson’s (12-12, 4-6 ACC) 8-2 loss to Wake Forest (18-10, 5-5 ACC) on Friday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

What happened?

After three quiet innings, the Tigers struck first with a single run in the fourth inning as Tyler Krieger walked, stole second, and came in to score on Chris Okey’s RBI single. The Deacons answered with three runs in the sixth on only two hits and four walks. The next inning Wake Forest added four more runs (again on only two hits, but with three errors) to take a 7-1 lead. Clemson was able to scratch across a run in the eighth was Reed Rohlman led off the inning with a double and came in to score on Chase Pinder’s two-out single to cut the lead to 7-2. The Deacons would add a run in the ninth on a solo homer to complete the scoring.

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changed in the sixth inning. With the Tigers leading 1-0, Matthew Crownover recorded two quick outs before a single up the middle. The next batter hit a sinking liner to left that Rohlman dove for but was unable to catch leading to a double and allowing a run to score. Following an intentional walk, Crownover uncharacteristically walked the next three batters to allow two more runs to score and give Wake Forest the lead for good.

What went right?

For 5.2 innings, Crownover was his usual dominant self but was unable to record the final out of the frame. Clay Bates made his first appearance of the season after an injury had kept him out the first part of the season. Steven Duggar led Clemson’s seven hit attack with two hits. 

What went wrong?

The Tigers were unable to expand on a 1-0 lead and stranded nine runners in the contest. Three Clemson errors, all in the seventh inning, allowed two unearned runs to score.