CLEMSON — Andrew Ciufo drove in three runs, including a two-run bomb to left centerfield in the bottom of the eighth inning to secure No. 9 Clemson’s 9-7 victory over Duke Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The win gives the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.
Clemson (38-13, 15-10 ACC) got three hits and three RBIs from Cam Cannarella, while Jack Crighton drove in three runs, as well for the Tigers.
The Tigers got all six of their runs in the fourth inning, allowing them to take a 6-2 lead. Crighton got a two-run hit to leftfield before Ciufo, following a Josh Paino walk to load the bases, drove in another run with a base knock to left himself.
Cannarella then followed with a rocket down the left field line that popped into the corner. The double cleared the bases and gave the Tigers a 6-2 lead at the time.
Duke (33-16, 14-11 ACC) rallied to pull within one run with two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh inning, but Jacob Jarrell doubled to centerfield to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning. He later advanced to third on a wild pitch and then came home on Crighton’s sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Crighton’s sac fly gave the Tigers a 7-5 lead at the time. Paino later doubled to leftfield with two outs and Ciufo followed with his 414-foot bomb to left centerfield to put the game away.
Ciufo’s home run proved to be big, as the Blue Devils added two runs in the top of the ninth inning and had the bases loaded before Lucas Mahlstedt got out of the jam by forcing a double-play ball to short to end the game.
After giving up two runs in the first inning, Clemson ace Aidan Knaak settled into the game. He allowed just one run and five hits over the final 4 1/3 innings he worked. He had eight strikeouts to go with four walks in 5 1/3 innings overall.
Knaak improved his record on the mound to 7-1.
Up Next
Clemson and Duke are scheduled to play Game 2 of the series at 2 p.m., on Saturday.