Aidan Knaak struck out a season-high 10 batters, but it wasn’t enough, as No. 9 Virginia beat Clemson 6-4 to take the series opener on Thursday at Disharoon Park in Charlottesville.

Knaak had been fairly effective through the first five innings, but he imploded in the sixth. After not issuing any walks through the first five innings, the right-hander walked two in the sixth and also hit a batter, with the Cavs scoring three runs to break a 3-3 tie.

Knaak, who took the loss (2-4), went 5.1 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits. He hit two batters and walked two more. Dylan Harrison relieved Knaak with one out in the sixth, holding the Cavs scoreless over the next two innings. Drew Titsworth got the final two outs in the bottom of the eighth.

Clemson also could do much at the plate, finishing the night with just eight base hits, with Jacob Jarrell and Luke Gaffney both hitting home runs. Two of those hits came in the ninth.

Virginia starter Henry Zatkowski went seven innings in picking up the win (6-0), allowing just three runs on five hits, while striking out 10 and walking two.

Clemson (24-15, 5-11 ACC) had an opportunity early, putting two on with one out in the top of the first. However, Jarrell struck out, and Jason Fultz flied out, stranding both runners.

After Jack Crighton led off the second with a single, the Tigers had another opportunity, and this time they took advantage as Gaffney launched a 410-foot home run out to left, his fourth of the season, giving Clemson an early 2-0 lead.

The Cavaliers (27-12, 11-8) would not stay down long, though. After Knaak hit the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the second and then allowed a two-out single, AJ Gracia smashed a three-run shot out to left, putting Virginia up 3-2. It was Gracia’s 12th homer of the season and third in as many games. It was also his fifth homer in seven career games against the Tigers.

Jarrell’s 415-foot solo shot out to left with one out in the top of the sixth tied the game at 3-3. It was his team-leading 15th homer of the season, and his second in as many games.

The Cavaliers responded in the bottom half of the frame. Knaak allowed a leadoff single, then hit a batter and walked another, his first of the game. That loaded the bases with one out. Jake Weatherspoon then cleared the bases with a double into the gap in right-center to put the Cavs up 6-3. After Knaak issued another walk, and Harrison came in out of the pen with runners at first and second and still just one out.

Harrison got the first hitter he faced to pop it straight up over the plate. While Jarrell missed the ball, the hitter was called out on the infield fly rule, which ultimately led to Cavs’ head coach Chris Pollard being ejected. Harrison got a fly ball to left to end the inning with no more damage.

The Tigers were able to cut into the deficit in the eighth. With runners on the corners and one out, Jarrell grounded to short. The Cavs could not turn the double play and Tryston McCladdie would score from third, making it 6-4.

Tyler Lichtenberger and Gaffney had back-to-back one-out singles in the top of the ninth off Virginia closer Tyler Kapa but he would get Jackson Moore to fly out and Bryce Clavon to ground out to notch his eighth save of the season.

Scoring First

Coming into Friday, the Tigers were 12-0 this season when scoring first. They are now 12-1.

The magic number for this team seems to be holding the opponent to five runs or less. When the Tigers do that, they are 22-1. When they give up six or more, they are 2-14.

Up Next

Clemson and Virginia will play Game 2 on Friday in Charlottesville. First pitch is at 6 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ACCNX.