Wake Forest Holds Off Fiery Comeback from Clemson to Force Rubber Match on Sunday

Coach Erik Bakich (Photo By John Meldrum)

The Clemson Tigers faced off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in game two of this weekend's three-game set. The Demon Deacons took an early 10-0 lead and were able to hold off a fiery comeback from the Tigers to win this one, 12-10. Wake Forest improved to 19-5 overall on the season and 7-1 within ACC play. Clemson fell to 22-3 overall and 3-2 within the ACC. Luke Schmolke picked up the win for Wake Forest, his third of the season. Ethan Darden was charged with the loss, his first of the season. Josh Gunther picked up the save for the Deacons, his fourth. 

Wake Starts Off Hot

The Demon Deacons got off to a great start in this one, jumping on Ethan Darden early in the top of the first inning. Clemson's best starter was able to get the first batter of the game out but gave up a home run to Marek Houston immediately after that, which gave the Deacons a 1-0 lead. Darden struggled to settle down after the home run, allowing runners on second and first before Dalton Wentz grounded into a fielder's choice to get out of the top half of the first. In the second inning, Darden started strong with back-to-back strikeouts until an Austin Hawke single and stolen base got a runner-in-scoring position for Matt Scannell. The transfer from Princeton came up big for the Deacons with an RBI single into right field to put Wake Forest up by two. 

Wake Blows it Open

The Deacons took advantage of Clemson's mistakes in the top of the third inning, growing their lead to 10. The inning started with a Jack Winnay single, which led to Ryan Preisano and Dalton Wentz reaching base on fielder's choices to load the bases with one out. Javar Williams came through for the Deacons with an RBI single into right field to give Wake a three-run lead, but they weren't done there. Jimmy Keenan stepped up to the dish and laced a home run into the left-field seats to give Wake Forest a 7-0 lead and put Clemson in a big hole. Erik Bakich decided he had seen enough of Ethan Darden and put in Chance Fitzgerald. The Sophomore from Florida was unable to close the door as Kade Lewis' three-run home run put the Deacons up 10-0 heading into the bottom of the third. 

Clemson Puts Dent in Wake Lead

The Tigers were finally able to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning, cutting into the Wake Forest lead. The inning started with a single from Jacob Jarrell and back-to-back walks from Andrew Ciufo and Dominic Listi to load the bases with one away. Purify got the Tigers on the board with a hit by pitch to bring up Cannarella. The Junior from South Carolina grounded a ball to the left side and was able to bring home two runners off an error from third baseman Kade Lewis. Luke Gaffney tacked on one more with a sac fly to make it a 10-4 ballgame. 

Clemson Continues to Fight Back

The Tigers continued to fight in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring four runs to cut the Wake Forest lead down to two runs. The inning started with a Cam Cannarella walk and Collin Priest single to put runners on first and second. A passed ball and an RBI single by Luke Gaffney would cut the Deacons' lead to five, putting runners on the corners for Josh Paino. The transfer from California Baptist came through with an RBI fielder's choice to bring up Jacob Jarrell with one on and one out. The Tigers catcher came through with an RBI double to make it a 10-7 game. But the Tigers were not done there as the New York native, Andrew Ciufo, lined a base hit up the middle to cut the Deacons' lead down to just two. 

Wake Scores Two, Clemson Gets Them Back

Nathan Dvorsky struggled in the top of the sixth inning, walking the first two batters before Erik Bakich decided to bring in Reed Garris to end the inning. The South Carolina native was able to get a quick two outs on a groundout and a strikeout. But the number nine hitter, Austin Hawke, continued his strong game as a fly ball into right field, found the grass and brought in the two runners on base to put Wake up by four. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Tigers were able to get a run back on a wild pitch that scored Jarren Purify. After Priest flew out to center field, Luke Gaffney reached base and advanced to second on an error, which allowed Josh Paino's base hit to score Gaffney and cut the lead back to two. It looked as though Jacob Jarrell tied the game for Clemson, but Javar Williams robbed the Tigers catcher of a game-tying home run to end the inning. Neither team would score again, and the game ended with a 12-10 Wake Forest win. 

Takeaways

• Bottom of the Order - The Demon Deacons got a lot of production out of the bottom of their order in today's game, which helped propel them to a close win. The bottom three of the Wake Forest order went a combined 6-12, with a double, a home run, and seven RBIs. Williams, Keenan and Hawke were the main reasons the Demon Deacons were able to prevail in this thriller. 

• Backend of the Bullpen - Wake Forest shut down the Tigers offense in the last 3.1 innings of this game, as the backend of their bullpen was dominant. The trio of Green, Ariola and Gunther were terrific, going 3.1 innings, allowing no runs, one hit and three walks, along with four strikeouts. Gunther was able to pick up his fourth save of the season as he got out of a ninth-inning jam to knot the series up at one apiece. 

• Up Next: The Clemson Tigers will face off against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the rubber match of this three-game set tomorrow, March 23, at 3:00 PM.