CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - AJ Gracia hit a three-run homer in the second inning and Jake Weatherspoon hit a three-run double in the sixth inning to lead No. 9 Virginia to a 6-4 victory over Clemson at Disharoon Park on Thursday night. The Cavaliers, who took a 1-0 lead in the series, improved to 27-12 overall and 11-8 in the ACC. The Tigers, who fell to 13-1 when scoring first, dropped to 24-15 overall and 5-11 in ACC play.
Luke Gaffney belted a two-run homer, his fourth of the year, in the top of the second inning to score the game’s first runs. With two outs in the bottom of the second inning, Gracia laced a three-run homer. In the top of the sixth inning, Jacob Jarrell crushed a solo homer, his 15th of the season, to tie the score 3-3.
After a hit-by-pitch and walk loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning, Weatherspoon hit a three-run double to right-center. Jarrell’s fielder’s choice in the eighth inning scored a run.
Virginia starter Henry Zatkowski (6-0) earned the win, as he allowed five hits, three runs and two walks with 10 strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched. Tyler Kapa pitched the ninth inning to record his eighth save of the year. Tiger starter Aidan Knaak (2-4) suffered the loss, as he yielded seven hits, six runs and two walks with a team-season-high 10 strikeouts in 5.1 innings pitched.
