The Canes lost 2 of 3 at Notre Dame, but erased a 6-run deficit to salvage the Sunday game and avoid a debilitating sweep.
Miami got solid pitching from both Gage Ziehl and Rafe Schlesinger in Games 1 and 2, but just couldn’t get the bats going, scoring a total of 4 runs. And while the Canes did jump out to 1-0 leads in both games, Notre Dame eventually responded, and won both games 6-2 and 5-2, respectively.
On Sunday, the Canes fell behind 7-1, but an 8-run inning capped with a Jacoby Long HR put the Canes in front. After extending the lead to 10-8, the Canes blew the lead and the game went to extra innings where the Canes finally took and held a lead, winning 12-10.
The midweek followed a similar pattern as Miami repeatedly took and lost the lead, eventually following behind 7-6 before the Canes put up a 7-spot to pull away.
This weekend, the Canes host Top 5 Clemson.
Clemson
Fri-Sun, Mar 29-31, Fri: 7:00PM, Sat: 7:00PM, Sun: 1:00PM; TV: ACCN/ACCNX
Clemson enters this series 22-2 overall, and 5-1 in the ACC. The Tigers 2 losses are a Friday game to Kennesaw State 18-1 and a Friday game at Duke 5-2. They are coming off a sweep of FSU, which included erasing a 4-0 deficit to run rule the Seminoles 15-5, and erasing an 8-1 lead and an 11-2 lead in Games 2 and 3, respectively.
Blake Wright leads the way for the Tigers at the plate. He leads the team in batting average at .365 and has slugged a team leading 13 HRs and 40 RBI. But they are more than a one-man band as the Tigers have hit 50 total HRs and have 6 batters batting over .300. Home Runs are the only major hitting stat where Clemson is in the Top 5 in the ACC, which is remarkable for a team with their record. But they also walk a lot and then take advantage of opportunities. Clutch pitching will be a key for Miami. The Canes will also need to find a way to keep the ball in the park.
The Tigers have been a bit variable in their rotation in ACC play. Aidan Knaak (4.60 ERA) and Austin Gordon (8.04 ERA) have started against both Duke and FSU. Tristan Smith is the Tigers’ best starter on paper, but was absent from the FSU series. If healthy and available, I’d expect him to start at some point against Miami. A 4th starting option is Ethan Darden. Rob Hughes is the best bullpen arm with 3 saves and a 0.87 ERA. Both the Canes and Tigers are near the bottom of the ACC in HRs allowed, so expect fireworks.
Predictions
CLARKE
It may be cheating to be writing this as the first game of the series has already started, but I just don’t love this matchup. Clemson’s ability to hit bombs is a major concern for me, as the Canes starting rotation is leaky. I do love the resolve of this Canes team, but they cannot keep falling behind in games and expect to win more than half of them. To me, this has major potential to be swept at home, but I think the team is too strong at the plate to lose all three. But they’ll still lose the series. The Canes drop a home series, losing 2 of 3.
PARASURAMAN
The Canes and Tigers have both made a habit of launching comebacks. Both teams seem to fall behind and erase leads, with Clemson being more successful at it. On paper, 22-2, 5-1 in the ACC, ranked in the Top 5, this series should be really tough for the Canes. But Clemson’s pitching isn’t great, and the Canes are used to playing shootouts. There is very little chance the Canes pitch their way through the Tigers, but they could slug their way through. I expect 3 high scoring games, but Miami is tough at home. I overall like this matchup. The Canes’ win the series as taking 2 of 3.
Sebastian's Pub 