A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
Once again Clemson’s bullpen let the Tigers down.
With the second-ranked Tigers up one run going into the bottom of the eighth inning, the bullpen fell apart as No. 12 Wake Forest scored four runs on three hits in the decisive inning for an 8-5 victory at Couch Ballpark in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The win allowed the Demon Deacons to take a 2-0 lead and clinch the three-game series over the Tigers. Wake has now won five straight against Clemson, dating back to last year’s sweep in Clemson.
Nick Clayton was called on to try and save the game with the bases loaded and no outs, but Seaver King took his first pitch and ripped a double down the leftfield line to score the tying and go-ahead run. Both runs were charged to Lucas Mahlstedt, who was credited with the loss.
Clemson (37-12, 17-9 ACC) jumped out to a 4-0 lead on the Demon Deacons and led the whole game until the eighth.
In the top of the first inning, with two outs and two on, Jimmy Obertop singled through the left side to score Alden Mathis and Blake Wright for a 2-0 lead. Mathis led the game off with a double off the top of the wall in left centerfield.
The Tigers extend their lead to 4-0 in the third, when Tristan Bissetta smashed a two-run homer to right center, again with the big hit coming with two outs.
However, the lead to did not last long for Clemson. Nick Kurtz opened the Demon Deacons third with a home run to right center. Then with one out and two on later in the inning, Jack Winnay blasted a two-run shot to leftfield that pulled the Demon Deacons within one run.
Wake Forest (35-16, 14-12 ACC) tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after Cam Nelson singled to centerfield with two outs to plate Adam Tellier.
The game stayed tied until the seventh, that is when Clemson’s Jacob Jarrell hit a solo home run to left centerfield to give Clemson a 5-4 lead.
Tristan Smith started the game for Clemson and went 4 1/3 innings before being pulled for Mahlstedt. Smith gave up four runs on six hits, while walking five and striking out five.
Mahlstedt did a great job holding the Demon Deacons at bay in the 2 2/3 innings he recorded on the mound. However, he opened the eighth by hitting pinch hitter Liam Willson and then gave up a hit to Marek Houston.
Clemson’s Justin LeGuernic came in for a lefty-lefty matchup, but lost it when he walked Kurtz to load the bases with no outs.
After King ripped a double down the leftfield line to score the tying and go-ahead runs, Winnay then drove in two more to seal the Demon Deacons’ victory.
UP NEXT
Clemson will try to avoid the sweep on Sunday. First pitch is set for Noon on ESPN 2. The Tigers have not been swept in a series since being swept by Wake Forest last year.