Clemson, SC – Louisville downed the Tigers 5-3 Sunday night at Doug Kingsmore.

“It was a good ballgame.  They played well.  Their kid pitched well.  Zack pitched well.  They both pitched out of jams.  Both teams left 11 runners on base.  We had some opportunities and they did too,” said coach Leggett.

Zach Erwin pitched out of trouble for most of the night but had only given up one run heading into the top of the seventh.  Erwin went 6.2 innings and gave up 11 hits, four runs and four earned runs.  Pat Krall went 2.0 innings and gave up two hits, one run and one earned run.  Charlie Barnes finished the game for Clemson getting the final two outs of the ninth giving up one hit.

Louisville jumped to an early lead plating one run in the top of the first.

Clemson tied the game in the bottom of the second.  With two outs Weston Wilson doubled right center.  Glenn Batson singled to left to score Batson.

The Cardinals jumped on Zack Erwin’s 100 pitch in the top of the seventh for a two-run home run to take a 3-1 lead.  Two batters later Louisville hit a solo home run and that was it for Erwin.

Clemson tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh.  Tyler Slaton walked to leadoff and moved to second on a wild pitch.  Eli White went down on strikes.  Steven Duggar hit a shot but right at the third baseman.  Tyler Krieger hit a long fly to center to end the threat.

In the bottom of the eighth the Tigers threatened again.  Chris Okey singled with one out.  Weston Wilson was hit by a pitch with two away.  Zack Burdi came in for relief and threw three straight pitches that showed at 101 on the scoreboard and Batson went down on strikes.

Louisville added an insurance run in the top of the ninth.

Clemson’s rally in the ninth came up just short.  Reed Rohlman singled to make it 5-3, but the Tiger’s rally ended there.

The Tigers fell to 24-22 overall and 13-12 in the ACC.  Clemson and Louisville play Monday night at 7 PM to determine the series winner.  The attendance Sunday night was 4,447.