NC State Completes the Sweep Over Clemson With 4-1 Win

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the North Carolina State Wolfpack, with the Wolfpack seeking a series sweep of the Tigers. Clemson took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning off a big fly from Jarren Purify, but Alex Sosa’s two-run home run in the seventh inning secured the sweep for the Wolfpack in a 4-1 win. Ryan Marohn picked up the win for NC State, his sixth win of the season. BJ Bailey was charged with the loss for Clemson, as his record drops to 2-2 on the year. Jacob Dudan picked up the save for NC State, his fifth of the season. Clemson’s record drops to 36-10 overall and 13-8 within ACC play, while NC State improves to 30-12 on the season and 15-6 within conference play.

Clemson Strikes First Again

For the third time this series, the Tigers scored the first run of the game and got off to a fast start. In the top of the first inning, after Dominic Listi and Cam Cannarella both grounded out, Jarren Purify stepped up to the plate. The Tigers’ three-hole hitter pulled a 2-2 up-and-in fastball out of the reach of Josh Hogue and over the left field wall to give Clemson an early one-run lead. After Collin Priest’s bunt single and Jacob Jarrell’s walk, the Tigers had a chance to extend their lead with Josh Paino at the plate with runners in scoring position. But the situational hitting woes continued as a groundout by the Tigers’ third baseman ended the inning.

NC State Ties It in the Second

The Wolfpack fought right back in the bottom of the second after Purify’s solo shot in the first to tie the score at one. The inning started with yet another base hit from Brayden Fraasman, who increased his series batting average to .900 on the weekend with a single. A groundout by Luke Nixon advanced Fraasman to second and a slip by BJ Bailey led to a wild pitch, sending Fraasman to third base with two outs. The Wolfpack’s strong situational hitting this weekend continued, as Ryan Jaros’ RBI single up the middle tied the game at one apiece heading into the third.

Pitcher’s Duel Through Five Innings

Ryan Marohn and BJ Bailey were flying through five innings, allowing just one run each. Clemson needed a pitching performance like this from Bailey after Aidan Knaak’s disastrous start on Friday and Drew Titsworth’s struggle last night. Through five innings, Bailey allowed just three hits and one run, while striking out two batters. Ryan Marohn continued more of the same for NC State, as the Wolfpack’s pitching had been dominant all series long. Marohn had a similar stat line to Bailey, allowing just four baserunners and one run, while striking out two batters through five strong innings.

Sosa Gives NC State the Lead

BJ Bailey was cruising through 5.2 innings, but one swing of the bat from Alex Sosa changed the whole game. The inning started with a Chris McHugh base hit to bring up Alex Sosa with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Sosa got every stitch of the ball and sent it over the right-center field wall to give the Wolfpack a 3-1 lead and a chance to complete the sweep. NC State’s ability to hit with runners on base is the reason the Wolfpack were able to win this series against the Tigers.

Wolfpack Extend the Lead

NC State gave themselves a three-run lead heading into the ninth inning, after scoring one run in the bottom of the eighth. The inning started off with a double by Josh Hogue, who was pinch ran for by Jet Gilliam to get speed on the base paths for the Wolfpack. That decision proved to be the right one as a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Justin DeCriscio brought home Gilliam and made it a three-run game. Jacob Dudan would enter the game in the top of the ninth and close it out for the Wolfpack, giving them a 4-1 win.

Takeaways

● Clemson Bats - Once again the bats struggled to get going for Clemson as they were held to just one run on five hits. The NC State pitching staff has had the Clemson offense looking clueless the past few games, especially with runners on base. In last night’s game the Tigers were held to three runs on eight hits, while leaving eight runners on base.

● Thursday’s game was no better as Clemson scored four runs on seven hits, while once again leaving eight runners on base. The Tigers will have to get their bats going once again as their schedule continues to get more difficult.

● Alex Sosa - The Wolfpack’s catcher was terrific all series long for NC State, especially in today’s game, where he hit the game-winning home run. In Thursday night’s game, Sosa went 3-for-5 with three runs scored to help lead the way for NC State in a 14-4 run-rule win. Sosa had another huge home run in Friday night’s game as his three-run shot gave the Wolfpack an 8-3 lead to seal the win.

Up Next - The Clemson Tigers will face off against the Florida State Seminoles on Friday, May 2, in Tallahassee.