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Clemson baseball has turned the page this season, winning six of their last eight games, including series’ wins over Virginia Tech and Boston College.
The Tigers will enter this weekend’s series against NC State (9-9, 4-8 ACC) with a 12-10 record overall and a 6-6 record in ACC play. Clemson is coming off of a tough loss to Georgia on Tuesday night, 2-0.
The Wolfpack come into the three-game series on the heels of a five-game win streak, which includes a sweep of their rival North Carolina along with a couple of mid-week victories. It’s been a different year for NC State this season after finishing 14-3 and ranked a season ago before the COVID-19 season cancellation. This season, not the same story. The Wolfpack have already been swept twice and narrowly avoided another sweep against Miami. However, the recent sweep over UNC has the Wolfpack trending in the right direction as they host Clemson.
NC State is led offensively by junior first baseman Austin Murr, who leads the team in batting average (.359), doubles (6), and runs scored (20) while sitting second in hits (23), home runs (4), and RBI’s (14). Murr is joined by sophomore catcher/outfielder Luca Tresh, who leads the team in hits (24), home runs (7), and RBI’s (17). This powerful combination of hitters in the Wolfpack lineup will be something Clemson pitchers will have to work around.
On the mound for NC State, junior righthander Reid Johnston and freshman righthander Sam Highfill have led the Wolfpack. Johnston leads the team in ERA (2.59) and runs allowed by starting pitchers (9) while Highfill has been a strikeout machine, leading the team with 26 K’s on the year. Both pitchers will be in action this weekend on Friday and Saturday.
The Tigers and Wolfpack always provide a great series, and this weekend should be no different. Both teams come in with lots of momentum, so the outcome of this series could shake up the rest of the ACC season. Check out times and starters below.
Friday - RHP Nick Hoffmann (CU) vs. RHP Reid Johnston (NCSU); 7pm on ACC Network
Saturday - LHP Keyshawn Askew (CU) vs. RHP Sam Highfill (NCSU); 7pm on ACC Network
Sunday - TBD; 1pm on ACC Network Extra