CLEMSON – Justin Leguernic tied a career-high six strikeouts in relief and catcher Jacob Jarrell launched his 17th home run of the season, but it was not enough to snap Clemson’s four-game losing streak as the Tigers fell 8-4 to No. 13 Boston College Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

After allowing six runs in the first three frames off of four extra base hits, Clemson’s pitching staff held Boston College scoreless for five straight innings, before the Eagles plated two insurance runs in the ninth. After using only two pitchers through the first seven innings, the Tigers went through four bullpen arms in the final frame.

Though they trailed by only two runs for much of the game, Clemson’s offense finished 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position and struck out 10 times to fall short. Though Clemson put runners on the corners in the ninth inning with two outs, it was not enough to mount a comeback.

As a team, the Tigers were 2-for-13 with runners on base and their top three hitters in the lineup each struck out multiple times. Boston College’s first three batters finished 6-for-11, conversely.

With the loss, Clemson (26-20, 6-16 ACC) will need two consecutive wins against the Eagles (35-14, 17-8 ACC) on Saturday and Sunday to clinch its second ACC series win and avoid a fourth straight series loss.

Boston College struck first, with a one-out solo homer from left fielder Nick Wang in the first inning to give the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Starting pitcher Dane Moehler allowed one more hit, but got out of the frame without allowing any more damage.

Tigers’ leadoff hitter Nate Savoie singled to open the bottom of the first, and reached second on a passed ball, but two strikeouts left him stranded.

In the second inning, The Eagles hit two one-out doubles down the right field line to plate one run, ending Moehler’s evening after 30 pitches, four hits, one strikeout, and two earned runs. Left-hander Justin Leguernic came in relief, but quickly gave up an RBI double and single to extend the Boston College lead 4-0.

Clemson answered back in the bottom of the frame with a single from shortstop Tyler Lichtenberger. Freshman Jason Fultz moved him into scoring position with a two-out shot through the left side. Next up, nine-hole hitter Bryce Clavon advanced all the way to third on a throwing error from Boston College’s third baseman, scoring both runners in the process. 

With the two unearned runs, Clemson cut the lead 4-2 after two, though the smaller deficit did not last long.

In the top of the third, Leguernic gave up a single, and a no-doubt two-run homer from designated hitter Kyle Wolff to reclaim Boston College’s four-run lead. The Eagles scored in each of the first three frames.

After a scoreless fourth and top of the fifth, Luke Gaffney reached first on a fielder’s choice, and with two outs, Jarrell blasted the Tigers’ first extra-base hit of the night, a two-run homer deep to left field. Jarrell’s 17th long ball of the year cut the lead 6-4.

Neither team scored in the sixth inning, largely due to quick pick off and put out plays from Leguernic, who stayed in after head coach Erik Bakich called a mound visit after a leadoff walk. Leguernic went on to get three more outs in the seventh, holding the Eagles scoreless in four of his 5.1 innings of work.

The Dix Hills, N.Y., native finished with six strikeouts, tying his career-high. Despite giving up seven hits, the junior allowed only three earned runs, and all came in the first 1.1 innings of his outing. He also bested his previous season high of five innings pitched. 

Senior Nathan Dvorsky, a righty, replaced Leguernic to start the eighth. Dvorsky, who has not pitched more than an inning since March 7, threw five straight balls to open the eighth. A sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch moved the runner to third. Dvorsky got out of the inning, and veteran Joe Allen followed him in relief in the ninth.

After a sacrifice groundout, Bakich and Belanger brought in freshman Nick Frusco, who threw a wild pitch and allowed an RBI single to extend the lead 7-4. An error from Lichtenberger and an RBI fielder’s choice brought in the final run, and made Clemson’s staff bring in freshman arm Eston Simpson. Simpson and Clemson’s defense got out of it with a double play after a seven-batter inning.

Savoie and Fultz drew walks in the ninth, and right fielderTy Dalley got to pinch hit, making his first appearance since April 11. He grounded out to the shortstop, moving runners to second and third.

Moehler suffered the loss, while Boston College starter A.J. Colarusso got the win, finishing with eight strikeouts, six hits, and two earned runs in six innings. No Tigers had a multi-hit game, while six notched a hit.

Gaffney’s Streak Ends, Jarrell’s Continues

After an 11-game hitting streak, first baseman Luke Gaffney finished without a hit, striking out twice. He reached first on a fielder’s choice and scored a run. Jarrell improved his on-base streak to 21 games.

New Friday Arm

Moehler’s start marked the first time since Ace Aidan Knaak’s planned rest day in early March that another pitcher has started on a Friday night, or another series-opening evening. Last time, true freshman Dylan Harrison got the start against La Salle.

Up Next

Clemson will have its next crack at Boston College Saturday, when the Tigers will host the Eagles at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. as the Tigers try to avoid the sweep.