Clemson Tigers Baseball Sweeps Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech came to Tiger Town for a weekend series, looking to slow down the streaking Tigers, in the season opening ACC series for both teams. Clemson would have none of it however, sweeping the 3 game series, improving to 15-1 on the season, and getting off to a 3-0 in the ACC.

Game 1

Clemson would take the first game of the series Fri afternoon 3-2, behind a stellar performance from starting pitcher Jacob Hennessey. The left hander went 7 strong innings, allowing only 2 ER on 6H. He struck out 7 and did not walk a batter. It was his best start to date. Ryan Miller would come on in relief, pitching the final 2 innings to get the win, improving to 2-0. He gave up 2H and 0ER, struck out one, and did not walk a batter. After having 2 midweek games, it was exactly the kind of showing you wanted pitching wise.

Offensively, the Tigers took an early 1-0 lead, on a LONG Seth Beer HR(4) to right, in the 1st. They added another run in the 3rd, when Bryce Teodosio led off the inning with a solo HR(2) to left center. Tech would get a run in the 4th and one in the 8th to tie it at 2. The Tigers then got what would be the winning run in the bottom of the 8th, on an RBI single from Patrick Cromwell, scoring Logan Davidson. Clemson would finish with 7 hits in the game, led by Beer, who went 2-4 with the one RBI.

Game 2

Clemson took game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader 7-3. It was Monte Lee’s 100th win since becoming head coach of the Tigers. Brooks Crawford got the start, although he would only get through 4 innings due to a high pitch count. He gave up 6H, 1ER, and 1BB. Spencer Strider came on in relief and got the win. He improves to 2-0, going 2.1IP without allowing a run. He allowed 4H, walked one, while striking out 5. It was a nice bounce back for the freshman, after getting roughed up in his last outing. Carson Spiers would finish it up, earning his 3rd save. He went the final 2.2 inings, giving up 2ER on 2H and 2BB. He also struck out 2.

GT would strike first, with a run in the 3rd to go up 1-0. Clemson would not stay down long, getting 4 runs in the 4th, on 3 hits and a throwing error. The Tigers would get 3 more in the 8th, on 4 hits and another error, highlighted by another LONG Seth Beer HR, his 5th of the season. Tech would get 2 in the 9th for the final margin of 7-3. Patrick Cromwell and Chris Williams both went 3-4, scoring 2 runs each. Drew Wharton went 2-4, 2 RBI, and a run scored.

Game 3

The second game of the doubleheader was never in doubt, as the Tigers sent 11 batters to the plate in the 1st, scoring 7 runs, and putting the Jackets in a hole they would never recover from. Clemson would add 2 in the 3rd to go up 9-0. GT would get 2 in the 4th to cut it to 9-2, but the Tigers would add a single run in the 4th, 5th, 7th, and 8th, for the 13-2 win.

Jake Higginbotham went 5 innings, getting the win and improving to 3-0. He gave up 4H, 2ER, 0BB, and struck out 4. Travis Marr came on in the 6th and pitched 3 innings, giving up 4H, 0BB, while striking out 3. Sam Weatherly pitched a scoreless 9th, allowing 1H and striking out 2.

Offensively, the Tigers were led by Grayson Byrd. He went 3-5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Chris Williams went 2-4 with 2RBI and 1 run scored. Beer was 1-3, with 2 RBI, scored 3 runs, hitting his 6th HR of the season.

This game also saw Chris Williams behind the plate for the first time this season, getting the start at catcher.

Next up for the Tigers, Charleston Southern Tues night at 6:30pm