The Clemson Insider looks back at No. 3 Clemson’s 7-6 loss to Florida State on Monday night at Dick Howser Stadium.

What happened?

The Tigers (30-7, 14-4 ACC) took an early lead for the third straight day. Chase Pinder reached on an error to lead things off and Reed Rohlman followed with a single. Following an out, Seth Beer launched a three-run homer to left center to give Clemson a 3-0 lead. The Seminoles (23-15, 9-9 ACC) cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third as they scored two unearned runs on a fielder’s choice and a sac fly. Florida State took the lead in the fourth after another Tiger error extended the inning, leading to a three-run double to make it 5-3. Clemson would tie the game in the sixth as Chris Williams hit a leadoff homer and Robert Jolly followed with a one-out, pinch-hit homer to make it 5-5. The Seminoles regained the lead for good in the seventh as Cal Raleigh hit a one-out solo homer and another run came in to score on a bases loaded walk. The Tigers would cut the lead to 7-6 on a Pinder RBI groundout in the eighth, but could get no closer as they dropped their first ACC series of the season.

Game-Changing Moment:

The game had several key moments, but the biggest momentum swings came in the third and fourth innings for Florida State. In the third, the Seminoles loaded the bases with one out and hit a bouncer back to the mound. However, Williams was unable to find the plate with his foot on the throw home to allow one run to score and a sac fly (which would have been the third out) added another run. In the fourth, another Clemson error extended the inning while loading the bases and the Seminoles made the Tigers pay with a bases clearing double in the right center gap that was just out of the reach of Pinder.

What went right?

Clemson again got off to a good offensive start, with three first inning runs. Offensively, they outhit Florida State 11-10 lead by three hits from Rohlman while Beer, Williams, and Jolly added two hits each. Pat Krall did not pitch poorly as he allowed five runs (zero earned) on seven hits in 5.1 innings but was undone by poor defense. Patrick Andrews and Ryley Gilliam added scoreless innings while Jeremy Beasley did not allow a run in 0.2 innings.

What went wrong?

The Tigers defense let them down as both errors were extremely critical, as each allowed innings to continue in what should have been scoreless frames. Jacob Hennessy had a tough outing, allowing a walk and two hits along with two runs to the three batters he faced. Offensively, Clemson could not get much going outside of the long ball and stranded nine runners in the game.