:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69318483/667062286.0.jpg)
Duke (25-20, 13-17) at Clemson (24-23, 16-17)
Thursday 5/20 6:00 PM ACCNX
Friday 5/21 6:00 PM ACCNX
Saturday 5/22 1:00 PM ACCNX
Last weekend was a tough going for a Tiger squad that really needed a win. All three games saw Clemson jump out to an early lead only to have it cut into by the Seminoles. Saturday’s games turned out for the best, with Clemson winning 9-5, but Friday and Sunday’s games ended in losses for Clemson. Clemson now has one last series before heading up to Charlotte for the ACC Tournament. As of this writing, Clemson is still projected as a third seed in the Starkville, MS regional, as one of D1 Baseball’s last five teams in. To maintain bubble position, it’s probably best for Clemson to win this weekend’s series so that the Tigers aren’t reliant on a miracle ACC Tournament run.
The Devils are coming in on a bit of a hot streak, having won five in a row, including a weekend sweep of Virginia Tech and a Tuesday afternoon 18-2 blowout of in state foe Davidson.
Clemson will go with its typical pitching rotation of Mack Anglin in game one, and Keshawn Askew in game two, with game three’s starter TBD. Duke comes in with righty Jack Carey on Thursday, righty Cooper Stinson on Friday, and will also be waiting to announce their Saturday starter.
Duke centerfielder Joey Loperfido was named ACC Player of the Week back on May 10. Loperfido is hitting .366 on the year. The Devils’ offense isn’t anything to scoff at, totaling 53 homers and having a collective batting average of .286 (third best in the ACC) and slugging percentage of .469 (second best in ACC).
The Tigers and Duke didn’t get to play in last year’s Covid shortened year. The year before, Clemson was swept in Durham by Duke. Clemson leads the all time series against Duke 130-72.