Clemson slugs its way past Wake Forest for huge series win

Clemson had not won an ACC series in more than 11 months entering Sunday’s pivotal Game 3 against Wake Forest.

The Tigers finally ended that skid in a big way Sunday afternoon.

Clemson beat No. 23 Wake Forest 10-8 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to earn its first ACC series win since April 30-May 2 of 2021.

The Tigers took two of three games against the Demon Deacons and improved to 22-13 (4-10) with the victory, while Wake Forest falls to 27-9 (10-8) with the loss.

“Really proud of our guys, the way that we fought, the way that we swung the bats today,” Clemson coach Monte Lee said. “Swung the bats well the last two days, played well defensively and we were able to hold on against a really good club.”

Clemson struggled on the mound against the Demon Deacons, giving up 14 hits, including four home runs. But the Tigers offense did plenty of damage of its own.

Clemson pounded five home runs, including two by Caden Grice. Max Wagner, Tyler Corbitt and David Lewis also went deep.

“We went over the approach before the game. We all knew the plan,” Grice said. “The biggest thing was just applying it in the game. I really tried to trust in what they were telling me. Thankfully it worked out. That one felt really good all around.”

Starting pitcher Nick Clayton got Clemson’s pitching staff off to a rough start, allowing three earned runs in one inning of work.

But the Tigers got strong relief outings from Geoffrey Gilbert and Jackson Lindley in particular to hold off Wake Forest.

Gilbert earned the win, tossing two scoreless innings, while Lindley pitched the final 2 1/3 innings without allowing a base runner to reach to earn the save.

“Had to go to the bullpen early,” Lee said. “Geoffrey Gilbert was huge for us, pitching on one day rest. … Jackson Lindley is the MVP of this one, for him to step up there at the end of the game and pitch the way he did to get the last six outs of the game says a lot about his makeup and his toughness.”

Up next, the Tigers travel to Athens for a game against Georgia on Tuesday. Clemson will then host East Tennessee State on Wednesday, before hosting Florida State in a three-game series this coming weekend.