Virginia Tech’s Mac Caples had a career-high three hits and Sam Fragale notched two including an RBI single, but No. 4 Clemson scored seven runs over the middle frames and posted an 8-3 victory in the final game of a three-game ACC series at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The Hokies (17-17, 6-9 ACC) had a golden opportunity to do some early damage and put pressure on Clemson in the second inning when they loaded the bases with one out.
However, an over-the-shoulder catch in shallow right field by second baseman Jordan Greene tallied the second out and Tiger center fielder Chase Pinder robbed Jack Owens of a grand slam to end the inning – as he went over the wall (with his glove) to make the catch.
The Hokies broke through, though, in the third after Tom Stoffel and Fragale hit back-to-back one-out singles and Caples plated them both on a two-out single to left center.
But just like yesterday, Clemson (28-5, 13-2 ACC) plated its first runs of the game in the fourth and then tacked on two insurance runs in the fifth and one more in the sixth to take a 7-2 lead. In the fourth, Andrew Cox hit a two-RBI single and Jordan Greene doubled home two more, while Robert Jolly’s two-out, two-RBI single in the fifth put them up four.
Fragale singled home Jack Owens, who singled to lead off the seventh, to provide the final run for the Hokies. It was Fragale’s team-leading 47th RBI, while Owens scored his team-high tying 37th run after collecting his ACC-leading 57th hit.
Nick Anderson: three scoreless innings pitched, a team-high 32 this season; two were perfect, giving him a team-lead of 13 this year.
Turned its 35th double play in the game. The Hokies were tied for third in the nation in double plays turned entering the weekend with Tulane, one behind Texas for second.
The Hokies return home for its next ACC series, hosting nationally-ranked Virginia in a Thursday through Saturday series at English Field at Union Park.
— Courtesy of VT Athletics
