RALEIGH, N.C. — Clemson continues to struggle to cash in on scoring opportunities.

The Tigers struck out 12 times and stranded seven base runners as No. 25 NC State took down No. 2 Clemson 8-3 on Friday at Doak Field in Raleigh. The win clinched the weekend series for the Wolfpack, as NC State handed the Tigers their first series loss of the season. It’s also the first time Clemson has lost back-to-back games all season.

Clemson (36-9, 13-7 ACC) did not register the first hit with runners in scoring position, while the Pack were 5-for-9.

The Tigers did get solo homer runs from Collin Priest and Jacob Jarrell, but it wasn’t nearly enough.

Drew Titsworth would pitch into the fifth inning in his second career start, but got very little help from the offense. The right-hander ended up allowing four earned runs, while striking out four and walking one.

Priest hit his second homer of the weekend to lead off the bottom of the second, a 454-foot solo shot out to right-center, to give the Tigers an early 1-0 lead. It was Priest’s 10th home run of the season.

Titsworth held the Wolfpack (29-12, 14-6 ACC) scoreless over his first three innings before the Pack finally strung together some two-out hits in the bottom of the fourth. Titsworth quickly retired the first two hitters in the inning before he issued a walk to Alex Sosa. Fraasman then hit a bloop single into shallow left, putting runners on the corners. Luke Nixon and Matt Ossenfort hit back-to-back singles, putting NC State up 2-1.

The Pack went right back to work in the bottom of the fifth, getting a two-run homer from Josh Hogue to push the lead out to 4-1. After Titsworth hit the next batter, Jacob McGovern came on in relief and retired the first three hitters he faced, including getting Fraasman to line out. It was the first time Clemson had gotten Fraasman out this weekend. McGovern pitched two perfect innings, with three strikeouts.

Jarrell led off the sixth with an opposite-field solo shot out to right, pulling the Tigers to within two at 4-2. It was Jarrell’s 11th long ball of the season and ninth in his last 17 games.

Clemson scratched another run across in the seventh. Andrew Ciufio led off the frame with a double down the left-field line and moved to third on a wild pitch. After Listi was hit by a pitch, Ciufo came home on a fielder’s choice by Cannarella. Listi moved to second on the same play. Jarren Purify and Priest then both struck out, stranding him at second and wasting another opportunity.

Freshman TP Wentworth came on in relief to start the bottom of the seventh and allowed three straight singles, including an RBI knock by Hogue, his third RBI of the game. After Chance Fitzgerald relieved Wentworth, Alex Sosa hit a three-run homer out to left center to blow it open and give NC State an 8-3 lead.

Hitting Woes Continue

The Tigers had multiple opportunities to put some runs on the board over the first four innings, but just like Thursday, they just could not come up with that timely hit. Clemson was 0-for-5 over that stretch with runners in scoring position, with three strikeouts.

For the game, the Tigers were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, with five strikeouts. They were also only 4-of-13 with runners on base.

Up Next

These two teams are set to finish up a three-game series on Saturday as Clemson looks to avoid being swept. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.