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The series is tied at one after Clemson scores five of their six runs on three home runs, including two from their third baseman who previously made a costly error in the 10th inning last night. With a total of three errors—most notably one in the 4th inning—alongside ten strikeouts and a crucial double play with the bases loaded, Clemson secures a 7-6 victory.
Rob Evans, previously consistent in his performances, struggled tonight, allowing a tough start in the opening inning with two runs on three hits. Miami began aggressively, scoring in the first inning on an opening single by Jake Ogden, followed by Derek Williams driving him in with an RBI single. However, the Tigers responded quickly, with their leadoff batter hitting a single and then a home run—the first of three—to take the lead, which they maintained until the fourth inning.
The pivotal moment in the game came in the 4th inning. The momentum shifted in favor of Miami, which scored three runs and seemed ready to bust the game open with the bases loaded. Alex Sosa started things with a double, followed by Williams drawing a walk. After West struck out, Alvarez hit his first of two doubles, driving in Sosa from second. The next batter, Vance Sheahan, singled to add Miami’s second run, and Dylan Dubovik reached on a high hop to the second baseman that was ruled an error, allowing the third run to score. A walk to Fabio loaded the bases, setting the stage for Miami to extend their lead, with Jake coming to the plate already with two hits. He hit a sharp line drive to short, who made a remarkable catch and doubled up Dubovik at second, who couldn’t get back in time. Despite Miami taking a 4-2 lead, it was clear the game was moving in Clemson’s favor.
The momentum shift was sparked by Clemson’s response in the bottom half of the 4th inning, beginning with a defensive misplay by Jake Ogden, who dropped a routine pop-up possibly influenced by the wind. This error eventually contributed to two unearned runs by the end of the inning. With a runner at second due to the mistake, consecutive singles scored one run, a sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third, and a sacrifice fly tied the game at four.
With the momentum clearly favoring Clemson, Tryston McCladdie hit his first home run of the evening with a runner on in the fifth inning, putting the Tigers ahead by two runs. This marked Evans’s final inning, during which he gave up six runs on six hits.
Miami was trailing 6-4 going into the seventh inning, but the team still had some fire left in its bats. They rallied with a three-hit sequence, starting with a single from Dubovik. Fabio followed with a double, and Jake grounded out, bringing in Miami’s fifth run. Two batters later, Alex hit his second double of the night, tying the score at six.
Tryston McCladdie is still trying to redeem himself from his mistake in the tenth inning last night. He achieved this in the bottom of the seventh with his second home run of the evening, giving the Tigers the lead and the winning run. Miami had a chance in the eighth to tie the game at seven with a one-out double by Alvarez, his second of the game. However, back-to-back strikeouts by Sheahan and Dubovik secured the victory for the Tigers, evening the series at one win each. The decisive game is scheduled for tomorrow at 3 PM
Miami out-hit Clemson 11-8, but Clemson’s three home runs were the decisive factor. Miami had four players with multiple hits: Jake Oden went 2-5, Dylon Dubovik went 2-4, and co-players of the game, each with two doubles and an RBI, were Alex Sosa and Alonso Alvarez. Miami again recorded double-digit strikeouts, totaling 10 compared to Clemson’s 4, which disrupted their rhythm. Miami did not hit any home runs to boost their score, while the Tigers hit three, and the Canes struggled, going 2-8 with RISP.
Both teams, eager for their first ACC series victory, will face off at 3 PM, with Miami’s Lazaro Collera scheduled to pitch in the decisive game.
