Canes Slay #18 Clemson 4-1, Go For Sweep Sunday

 March 19, 2022  Leave a comment

Mike Kaffee

Hurricanes Baseball Reporter
[email protected]

Just what the doctor ordered. Threatening rains yesterday, strong winds today did not deter a determined Miami team from handing the Tigers their 4th consecutive loss. They did it with strong pitching holding the 18th rank Tigers to just 4 hits. The offensive punch wasn’t like it was for the Friday night game but sufficient enough to make the difference.

Miami’s scoring was made possible by the lack of control of the Clemson’s pitchers. 3 of Miami’s 4 runs can be accredited to the WP setting the scoring into motion. Fortunately, we were able to overcome the two errors only allowing one run to result from the mishandling of the ball. For the second time, the difference in making the win possible was our starting pitcher. Karson threw a brilliant game only allowing 3 hits through 5.1 innings and not allowing an earned run. The one Clemson scored off him was unearned resulting from a throwing error by catcher Maxwell Romero. He had to work harder than his namesake spelled with a C, but this freshman pitcher is the real thing with ice in his blood. Worked himself out of jams in each of his five innings except for the 1st and 3rd where he had an easier time retiring the Tiger batters. Miami did not have to dig too deep into their BP, only needing Gage Ziehl before turning the rock over to Andrew Walters to seal the series victory striking out 4 of the 6 batters faced. Tomorrow, for the sweep as yet to be determined, starting pitcher. Might use Garland on a quick turnaround with McFarlane sitting in the wings. One thing for certain Miami does not want to turn to their BP early in the game or that sweet taste of taking three on Clemson’s home turf will be blown in the wind.

Gino knows you don’t try to fix something that is not broken. With Clemson going with another right-hander, Gino went with the same lineup as Friday night.

Not the overwhelming offensive crunch as Gino had hoped for and other than a solo shot by Jacob Burke in the second, the bats were pretty much silent through 4 with only 3 hits.

The wind blowing in was keeping the ball within the park which was more detrimental to Clemson than to us. We only had three balls, other than the HR, hit on a fly to the OF compared to Clemson’s 8. We can thank the wind plus the skill of Ligon in getting out of tight situations. 

In the second, Ligon opened the inning hitting the batter, and had runners on the corners before the wind came to the rescue on a FO to center. The 4th, with Miami holding on to the slimmest of lead, 1-0, Clemson worked themselves into having runners on the corners with a single, walk, and WP.  Poor decision on Max’s part in hesitating his throw to second on an attempted steal with two out not only not getting the runner but his throwing error allowed the tying run to score.

The following inning, Clemson threatened again to take over the lead with one definite and one mental error had runners once again on the corners. The third ball in a row hit back to Dorian this time he was able to execute the 4-3 put-out. 

In the 5th, Miami almost took back the lead but on a disputed call at home plate, the score remained tied at one. Dominic opened the inning with a single. CJ laid down a two-out bunt (single) moving Dominic into scoring position at second. Edgardo hits a slow tribble to second for a hit which would have had the base loaded except that Dominic had other ideas. An alert 2B sees Dominic not holding on third, throws home. In a close play (reviewed) at the plate the call was upheld and the score remained deadlock at one.

In the 6th, the deadlock was broken on a WP scoring Burke for the go-ahead run. Added 2 more in the 7th with a two-out single by Max with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Yoyo was intentionally walked rather than pitch to him putting runners on 1st and 2nd. WP advanced both runners and the rest is history. With a 3 run difference in the score, Gage made quick work of a disheartened Clemson team and it only became more disheartening when Andrew came in to finalize the win striking out 4 of the 6 batters faced.

Small ball was very much small ball with 8 of the 9 hits spread out being singles. Jacob was the only Cane hitter with an extra-base hit, that being the HR in the second to left. If you like pitching, you would have enjoyed this game because neither side could put the meat on the ball for extra bases. CJ was our only batter with multiple hits: 3-5. Clemson had none. All four of their hits were for singles.

The defense gave up two recorded errors with a generous call which would have been a third. Chalk this game up to pitching. Karson gave another notable start with great relief from Gage and our Closer, closing down all hope for a Clemson comeback.

Tomorrow, for the sweep. Start time 1PM. Starting pitcher TBD.

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