Louisville plated a run in the bottom of the eighth to break a tie-game and get an 11-6 series-clinching win over Clemson on Saturday at Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Ky. The Tigers have now lost six of their seven ACC series this season.

Nate Savoie and Jacob Jarrell both hit home runs in the first inning, but the Tigers managed just four hits over the final eight frames and finished just 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Michael Sharman got the start, allowing six runs on 11 hits across 5.1 innings. Two of the runs were unearned. He struck out three and did not walk a hitter. Hayden Simmerson (0-1) took the loss after allowing one run on one hit, with three strikeouts. However, he did walk three hitters.

For the second night in a row, it was Clemson (26-18, 6-14 ACC) that got on the board first, as Savoie hit his 15th home run of the season to start the game. After Luke Gaffney singled with one out, Jarrell smashed his 16th long ball of the season out to left, giving the Tigers the 3-0 lead.

Louisville (25-18, 9-11) was able to get one run back in the bottom of the second. Kade Elam reached on a single deep into the hole at short. Tyler Lichtenberger made a diving stab, but his throw to first was short-hopped and got by Luke Gaffney, allowing Elam to reach second. He would come home on an RBI single by Ben Slanker.

The Cardinals got a solo homer from Jimmy Nugent to start the bottom of the fourth. Later in the inning, with two on and two out, Lucas Moore lined into the gap in left-center. Jack Crighton could not corral the ball, and Moore ended up making it all the way to third on the error, giving Louisville its first lead at 4-3.

The Cardinals extended the lead in the sixth. With runners on the corners and one out, Alex Alicea singled into left, making it 5-3, and ending Sharman’s night. Hayden Simmerson came on in relief and after retiring the first hitter, a Zion Rose two-out single made it 6-3.

Clemson loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the seventh. Luke Gaffney lined into right, driving home one run. Another run came home on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Jarrell. A third run would come home when Jack Crighton grounded into a fielder’s choice, tying the game at 6-6.

Simmerson issued a leadoff in the bottom of the eighth, Ariston Veasey then came on and walked the next hitter. Zion Rose then singled home the go-ahead run. The Cardinals would go on to load the bases with nobody out and would push across four more runs for some insurance.

Bad News Bears

After making five errors on Friday, the Tigers made five more in this one. The five errors led to two unearned runs and multiple momentum swings for the Cards.

Purify Returns

While he did not start, Jarren Purify returned to action on Saturday. After missing more than a month with a broken hand, Purify came on to play second to start the bottom of the fourth. He did not bat until the seventh, working a walk on an eight-pitch at-bat. He also walked in his second plate appearance in the eighth. He did make two critical errors in the eighth.

Up Next

Louisville goes for the sweep on Sunday. First pitch is at 2 p.m.