Despite getting out to a ten run lead over Clemson, the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest had to play until the end in order to tie the series this weekend. After going down by ten runs, Clemson used the third, fifth, and sixth inning to mount an epic comeback but ultimately fell short to Wake Forest dropping game two by a score of 12-10.
It did not take long for the Demon Deacons to get going on Saturday as junior Marek Houston took an Ethan Darden pitch for a ride to left center field to give Wake Forest an early 1-0 lead over Clemson. After facing four more Demon Deacon batters, the Tigers were able to get out of the top half of the inning only trailing by one.
Matthew Dallas got the start for Wake making quick work of the first three in the Tigers lineup. The sophomore came into the contest with a 3.74 era with 21.2 innings of work to show for this season.
Ethan Darden started the second strong sitting down two straight Demon Deacons, but the offense continued for Wake Forest as Matt Scannell singled to right field and junior Austin Hawke scored extending the Wake lead by one run. In the bottom half of the second, Clemson once again struggled to get anything going with Priest, Gaffney, & Paino all being sat down by Matthew Dallas.
The top of the third inning was not friendly to the hometown Tigers as Wake Forest busted the contest open plating five runs and ended the day of Ethan Darden. Chance Fitzgerald then took the mound for Clemson entering the contest with an 8.31 era on 8.2 innings pitched. A new pitcher did not help the cause for the Tigers as the onslaught continued. Kade Lewis ripped a home run to right field extending the lead to ten run for Wake. The inning ended with Wake Forest scoring eight runs and two errors on the part of the Tigers. After a rough start, Clemson was able to chip away at the Demon Deacon lead in the bottom of the third by putting up a four spot and bringing the game within six. Jarrell, Ciufo, and Purify all scored from the efforts of Cam Cannarella and Luke Gaffney. Joe Allen entered the game in the top of the fourth for Clemson and sat down three of four Demon Deacons without allowing any more bleeding.
Jacob Jarrell got things going on offense for the Tigers in the bottom of the fourth with a double to left field. With a runner in scoring position, Tristan Bissetta went down swinging followed by a fly out to center field by Andrew Ciufo that did however advance Jarrell to third. Clemson then covered the corners after Dominic Listi reached first on a walk. The Tigers then proceeded to leave two stranded as Jaren Purify flied out to centerfield.
Joe Allen started the top of the fifth inning for the Tigers but was soon pulled and replaced by Nathan Dvorsky. The junior entered the game with a 3.97 era on 11.1 innings pitched. For the second straight inning, the Tigers were able to keep the zero in the run column for the Demon Deacons.
In the bottom half of the inning, Cam Cannarella took a walk that was then followed by a single from Collin Priest. Both runners were able to advance on a Demon Deacon passed ball. Luke Gaffney came up clutch again with a single to short where Kade Lewis was unable to come up with a play and Cannaerlla scored for the Tigers. Zach Johnston represented the third Demon Deacon pitcher as Tom Walter felt a change was needed with the Tigers threatening again. On the first pitch, Josh Paino reached first on a fielder's choice that ended up scoring Collin Priest. A new pitcher did not slow the Tigers down as a Jacob Jarrell RBI double is exactly what the doctor ordered. With one out and one runner in scoring position, the Tigers found themselves trailing by three. Clemson would then go on to plate one more run with a hard hit single up the middle from Andrew Ciufo that would score Jacob Jarrell.
Clemson rode another strong performance from Reid Garris and did not allow Wake to add to their lead in the top of the seventh. In the bottom half of the inning, Dominic Listi was hit by a pitch and Jarren Purify walked. Cam Cannarella represented the go ahead run but grounded out and Wake retired the side.
The top of the eighth inning was only the fourth inning of the day where Clemson escaped without allowing any runs from the Demon Deacons. In the bottom half, the Tigers were able to get a runner on base but were not able to get any runs across home plate. The seventh and eighth inning did not consist of any runs from either team.
Clemson's B.J. Bailey (Woodruff) made quick work of the Demon Deacons in the top of the ninth to give the bottom part of the Clemson lineup a chance to win the game. McCladdie flied out to centerfield to start the inning which brought up Andrew Ciufo who went down swinging. With two outs, Dominic Listi represented the last opportunity for the Tigers. Josh Gunther then hit Listi which gave the Tigers another chance late and brought up Jarren Purify. However, the Purify at bat was put on delay as Tom Walter disputed the hit by pitch. The officials determined that Listi did not lean in and the Tiger remained on first base. Purify singled to center which brought up Cam Cannarella who walked. With the bases juiced, Collin Priest popped up to third base and the Demon Deacons went on to win it, 12-10.
Game three of the series will be on Sunday at 3:00pm at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
