The NC State baseball team (38-14, 15-11 ACC) took on the Clemson Tigers (30-21, 13-13 ACC) in the second game of the ACC series, and the last regular season series at Doak Field. The Pack ended up dropping the game in ten innings 4-3 after the game was tied at three runs apiece at the end of nine innings.
Right out of the gates, the Tigers scored two runs after Clemson outfielder Michael Green was walked and outfielder Grayson Byrd doubled to score Green. Outfielder Chad Fairey then singled Byrd home after a strikeout by another Tiger.
A strong seventh inning propelled the Pack to a tie game. Sophomore infielder David Vazquez roped a single to center field, which put sophomore outfielder Terrell Tatum on second base and freshman outfielder Luca Tresh on third. Cooper then grounded out to first, allowing Tresh to score. Then after sophomore outfielder Jonny Butler drew a walk, Tatum was able to score on a wild pitch, tying the game up.
The pitching for the Pack in the game was a mixed bag. Sophomore right-hander Reid Johnston started the game boasting a 3.97 ERA, but allowed two runs in the first inning before settling down and striking out nine batters across 5.2 innings of work.
Sophomore left-hander Evan Justice and junior righty Kent Klyman pitched well in relief, only allowing one hit before the game went to extra innings. However, when the extra frame began, Klyman gave up three hits and a run before being replaced by redshirt sophomore righty Dalton Feeney.
Feeney quickly slammed the door on the inning, but it did not matter for the Pack, as it was unable to tie the game up.
The tenth inning was relatively quick for NC State. Edwards was walked, sparking some hope for a comeback, but sophomore catcher Patrick Bailey and freshman Tyler McDonough both flew out and Tresh struck out swinging to end the game.
The Tigers barely edged out the Pack offensively in the game, but were more aggressive on the basepaths, doubling the number of stolen bases the Wolfpack had.
However, the pitching was the biggest difference between the two teams. Clemson starting pitcher Davis Sharpe and closer Carson Spiers allowed one run and five hits total. Despite a relatively solid start from Johnston, the Pack fell short in the end.
This game tied the series 1-1, setting up a Sunday rubber match to give the Pack an opportunity to win its first ACC series since the beginning of April. However, losing Saturday’s matinee means that it still has not swept an ACC series since the Miami series in March.
The third game of the series, and the regular season home finale, will be on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Doak Field.
Sophomore pitcher Reid Johnston pitches against Clemson on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Doak Field. Johnston pitched 5.2 innings, striking out nine while giving up two earned runs on two hits and two walks. The Wolfpack lost to Clemson 4-3 in ten innings.
