Florida State Edges Clemson to Take Series 2-1

Clemson baseball started out the series with Florida State with a wild win on Saturday Night. Behind some big hitting behind Logan Davidson, Seth Beer, and a few others, the Tigers posted an impressive seven run second inning to jump out to 8-0 lead. Grayson Byrd scored in the third, and Seth Beer led off the fourth with a one run homer that put Clemson up 10-1. Florida State wouldn’t give up easily though, as the Noles would scrape togerther nine runs on eight hits from the bottom of the fourth through the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 10-10. But in the top of the ninth, Seth Beer came through for the Tigers again scoring Byrd and Chase Pinder with a two RBI single to put Clemson up 12-10. Riley Gilliam, who came on during the seventh, was able to hold the Noles scoreless in the ninth and get his second win of the season.

Saturday saw the Noles jump out to a 4-1 lead after the first and never look back as they went on to claim a 7-3 win over Clemson. Dylan Busby added a three run homer in the third. Seth Beer had a one run homer in the fifth, but not much else happened for the Tigers offensively. Starting pitcher Alex Eubanks dropped to 5-3 on the year and the Tigers earned their first loss in eight games, setting up a big Monday night rubber match with FSU.

Monday’s game once again saw some early fireworks. Seth Beer got things going for the Tigers in the first with a three run homer. FSU was able to pick up a pair of runs off a hit and an error in the third and then Busby was able to plate three runs with a fourth inning double to put FSU up 5-3. In the top of the sixth, Chris Williams and Robert Jolly both hit one run homers to tie the game up at 5-5. Reed Rohlman got things going in the top of the seventh with a huge double. After Logan Davidson was hit by a pitch, Beer had a nice single to right field, but Rohlman was thrown out try to score. Chris Williams was able to move the runners to second and third on a fielder’s choice, but Rudy Cox stuck out to end the inning. FSU regained the lead as Cal Raleigh took Jacob Hennessy deep for a one run homer, putting FSU up 6-5. Riley Gilliam would later give up a bases loaded walk with two outs to put the Noles up 7-5. Fortunately, Gilliam struck out the next batter, Busby, to get out of the inning with no further damage. Jordan Greene placed a nice bunt to advance Clemson’s runners to second in third. Chase Pinder followed that up with a ground out that scored Robert Jolly, cutting the lead to one. Chris Williams kept hope alive in the top of the ninth by hitting a high chopper single up the middle with two outs left. Andrew Cox then hit a short chopper toward third and was thrown out by just a step to end the game and give FSU the 7-6 win.

Clemson moves to 30-7 (14-4 ACC) on the season. Wednesday night, Clemson will return to Doug Kingsmore stadium to host the Georgia Bulldogs. That game is a 6:30 PM first pitch, and will be available on ACC Network Extra. Florida State moves to 23-15 (9-9 ACC) on the year. The Noles will host instate foe Stetson at 6:00 PM. The game between FSU and the Hatters can also be seen on ACC Network Extra.