No. 6 Tigers Down Duke 9-7
CLEMSON, S.C. - No. 6 Clemson scored six runs in the fourth inning on its way to a 9-7 victory over Duke at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday night. The Tigers, who took a 1-0 lead in the series, improved to 38-13 overall and 15-10 in the ACC. The Blue Devils dropped to 34-15 overall and 14-11 in ACC play.
AJ Gracia belted a solo homer in the top of the first inning, then the Blue Devils added an unearned run later in the frame. Jack Crighton slapped a two-run single in the fourth inning to tie the score, then Andrew Ciufo lined a single to score the go-ahead run. Cannarella, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 10 games, followed with a three-run double to cap Clemson’s six-run frame.
In the sixth inning with the Tigers ahead 6-2, Jake Berger hit a potential inning-ending double play grounder right at the shortstop, but the ball hit the baserunner, resulting in only one out on the play. Two batters later with two outs, Gracia lined a two-run single. Jake Hyde led off the seventh inning with a homer to narrow Clemson’s lead to 6-5. In the eighth inning, the Tigers tacked on three insurance runs on Crighton’s sacrifice fly and Ciufo’s two-run homer, his sixth of the year.
Tiger starter Aidan Knaak (7-1) earned the win, as he allowed five hits, three runs (two earned) and four walks with eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched. Blue Devil starter Owen Proksch (2-2) suffered the loss, as he gave up six runs on four hits in 3.1 innings pitched.
The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra. Saturday is Senior Day, as Clemson honors its seniors during a pregame ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
