Jimmy Nugent’s second homer of the game, a two-run shot in the bottom of the 10th, gave Louisville a 7-5 walk-off win over Clemson to complete a three-game weekend sweep on Sunday at Jim Patterson Stadium in Louisville, Ky.
Tryston McCladdie’s two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth tied the game at 5-5. The Tigers had a chance to go on top in the 10th, but after walking to start the frame, Jacob Jarrell was stranded at third.
The Tigers had their share of opportunities, stranding 17 base runners while going just 5-of-22 with runners on and just 2-of-13 with runners in scoring position. Seven different times, Clemson had the leadoff runner reach, and there was at least one base runner in all 10 innings.
Nugent’s first homer, a solo shot off Dane Moehler in the bottom of the second, gave Louisville an early 1-0 lead. It was the first time the Cardinals scored first in the series.
Clemson (26-19, 6-15 ACC) responded with a run of its own in the top of the third. With two outs and a runner on third, a bloop single by Jason Fultz brought Luke Gaffney home to tie the score at 1-1.
Moehler quickly got into trouble in the bottom half of the third. After issuing a leadoff walk, Alex Alicea laid down a bunt that Jarrell fielded. The veteran catcher airmailed the throw to first, putting runners at second and third. Moehler then issued his second walk of the inning, loading the bases, still with nobody out. Brendan Bennett was then brought in, and he hit the first batter he faced, forcing in one run. The lefty then struck out Tague Davis, who has 25 homers, before inducing a double play ball to get out of the jam with the Tigers trailing 2-1.
Bryce Clavon, who got the start at second base, doubled to start the fourth. A bunt by Talan Bell then moved him to third with one out. Nate Savoie’s 400-foot sacrifice fly to deep center then brought Clavon home, tying things up at 2-2.
Ben Slanker put the Cards (26-18, 10-11) back on top in the bottom of the fourth, when he took a hanging breaking ball from Dylan Harrison deep out to right. The two-run shot put Louisville out in front 4-2. It was Slanker’s ninth home run this year.
The Tigers were able to load the bases with two down in the top of the fifth, with Clavon drawing a walk and making it 4-3. Bell followed by striking out looking, leaving three runners aboard.
Davis would hit his nation-leading 26th home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the eighth, setting a new Louisville single-season record. The solo shot gave the Cards a 5-3 lead.
The Tigers put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth, but pinch-hitter Jay Dillard struck out. After Savoie was intentionally walked to load the bases, McCladdie lined one into center to tie the game at 5-5.
Gaffney Stays Hot
The first baseman reached base five times in this one. He had two singles, walked three times and scored two runs. Gaffney has his batting average up to .327.
Wasted Opportunities
Clemson stranded 16 runners over the first two games of the series, then left a whopping 17 more on base in the series finale. It is hard to win when you are leaving that many runners on the base paths. Jack Crighton and Bell each left four runners on base. Fultz was responsible for leaving three on. It is something that has plagued this team much of the season.
Louisville pitchers issued 15 free passes to Clemson hitters.
Postseason Hopes All But Dead
Clemson came into the weekend series with its postseason hopes already on life support. As bad as ACC play has gone for the Tigers, the team was still sitting at No. 40 in the RPI coming into the weekend. However, after getting swept by a team that was sitting outside the Top 100 in RPI coming into this weekend, that number is going to take a massive hit. This team’s only realistic shot at making a regional might entail winning the ACC Tournament to secure the league’s automatic bid.
Up Next
With no midweek game on the slate, the Tigers will return to action this weekend when Boston College visits Clemson for a three-game ACC series. The series-opener is set for Friday at 6 p.m.