ACC Baseball: Miami Wins Series from Clemson

The Miami Hurricanes continued their run of strong play by taking two games from the Clemson Tigers. Miami was victorious by a score of 5-2 on Friday, and they brought home a 3-2 win in 12 innings in Saturday’s game. With the wins, Miami improves to 31-13 overall, and 18-5 in conference play. After UVA fell to FSU Saturday, Miami is now the top team in the ACC. Clemson drops to 25-18, and 12-10 in ACC play.

Friday’s game was a back and forth battle. Pitchers Chris Diaz for the Hurricanes and Matthew Crownover for the Tigers were both strong. Miami got on the board in the third inning, but the Tigers scored two in the 5th to take the lead courtesy of a bases-loaded error.

The lead wouldn’t last long, as Miami responded in the top of the 6th. Edgar Michelangeli tied the game with a single, and senior Dale Carey placed a bunt single down the first base line to bring home what would be the winning run. Bryan Garcia got the last four outs for his 12th save of the season, and catcher Zack Collins drilled a two-run shot in the top of the 9th to pad the lead to 5-2.

Once again, the Hurricanes struck first in Saturday’s game, this time on a Willie Abreu single that scored Tyler Palmer. However, that would be all they would get off Daniel Gossett, who was phenomenal in a nine inning effort. Gossett fanned 13, while allowing seven hits and issuing four walks.

Meanwhile, Andrew Suarez was excellent for the Canes. Three singles from the Tigers, the last one from Steve Wilkerson, brought in a run in the third which tied the game. Suarez would also go nine, allowing eight hits and striking out seven without walking a batter.

A walk to Michelangeli and a sacrifice bunt from Carey followed by a double off the bat of Palmer and a single from Collins scored two runs for the Canes in the top of the 12th. Garcia surrendered two hits and a run in the bottom half of the inning, but held on for his 13th save of the year.

Miami has now won five consecutive series, and 18 of their last 19 games. For the year, they are a remarkable 11-1 in one run games. They’ll go for the sweep as the series concludes Sunday at 1 pm.