BLACKSBURG – Trailing by five after the fifth frame, the Virginia Tech baseball team battled back and had the tying runs on base before the final out was recorded in the ninth, but Clemson closer Carson Spiers got a grounder to end the game as the No. 15 Tigers took the ACC opener at English Field at Union Park on Friday night by a score of 6-4.
Kerry Carpenter led the Hokies at the plate with a two-hit night and also drove in a pair in the seventh inning with a two-out triple that cut Tech's deficit down to a pair.
That's when Clemson went to Spiers, who walked pinch-hitter Michael Fernandez to open his night but got a liner off the bat of Luke Horanski to end the threat in the frame.
It was the same two pair at it again in the ninth, as Tech had runners on the corners again with two outs – Jack Owens and Dalton Harum both with singles. Horanski turned on a 2-2 pitch and grounded sharply to first to end the game.
Spiers picked up his eighth save with the effort, while Tiger starter Davis Sharpe improved to 4-1 with the victory. Ian Seymour, who went six innings and allowed six runs, three earned, suffered his first loss of the year.
Up Next
The two teams will continue the three-game ACC set at English Field at Union Park on Saturday with a first pitch set for 3 p.m.
A reminder to fans looking to attend any of this weekend's games against the Tigers (or any other ACC weekend contests in 2019), tickets are required for ACC home games this season. CLICK HERE to purchase in advance.
Gallery: (3/29/2019) 2019 BASEBALL vs. CLEMSON FRIDAY