Clemson clinches division title, takes series at Pitt |
PITTSBURGH - No. 4 Clemson scored three runs in the first inning and held on for a 4-1 victory over Pittsburgh at Charles L. Cost Field on Friday afternoon to claim the ACC Atlantic Division title, its first since 2010 and its first outright since 2006. The Tigers also took a 2-0 lead in the series, securing their fifth ACC road series win for the first time in school history, and won their 10th ACC road game in a row.
Clemson (42-13, 21-8 ACC) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Patrick Cromwell's bases-loaded walk and Drew Wharton's two-run single. Nick Banman grounded a two-out, run-scoring single in the fourth inning for Pittsburgh (27-24, 11-18 ACC). Seth Beer led off the eighth inning with his 18th home run of the season. Kyle Wilkie extended his hitting streak to 21 games, but Logan Davidson's 15-game hitting streak came to an end. Tiger starter Brooks Crawford (8-2) earned the win by allowing just five hits, one run and one walk with six strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Ryley Gilliam pitched the ninth inning to record his 11th save of the season. Panther starter Dan Hammer (2-5) suffered the loss, as he yielded two hits, three runs and four walks with four strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched. The series and regular season concludes Saturday at 1 p.m., on ACC Network Extra. The Tigers can still earn the ACC's top seed at next week's ACC Baseball Championship in Durham Bulls Athletic Park with a win Saturday and a North Carolina loss to Virginia Tech. They are guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed with Friday's win. For the first time since 2010, the Tigers are @ACCBaseball
Very proud of our players and coaching staff! We are blessed to have great young men that compete every pitch, every game, every series. Go Tigers! https://t.co/hB8XCAU2ww
B5 - Cappas leads off with a single, but Crommy flashes the leather to start a nice 5-4-3 double play!
Seth Beer is first player in Clemson history with at least 16 home runs in three consecutive seasons.
As of 6 p.m. Clemson 2nd in nation in wins with its 42-13 record. Only Tennessee Tech has more with 45.
Clemson now 14-5 on road this year, most road wins by Tigers baseball team since 2005 team finished 15-13 on road.
Atlantic Division champions! #Clemson ?? pic.twitter.com/VoTzSQcxID
E5 || CU 3, UP 1
Watch the game now live via ACC Network Extra (https://t.co/38nJGtstG1) pic.twitter.com/e6gMc5cfej
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