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Clemson baseball falls to No. 5 North Carolina after wild 14 innings
TL;DR
Clemson baseball lost to No. 5 North Carolina 6-4 after 14 innings, marking their fifth consecutive extra-inning defeat. A squeeze bunt in the 14th inning allowed UNC to score two runs, sealing the game for them.
Another tight game, another missed opportunity for Clemson baseball.
The Tigers held a late lead and had multiple chances to end it, but No. 5 North Carolina found a way in the 14th inning, pulling out a 6-4 win on Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. A well-executed squeeze bunt brought home the go-ahead run, and a throwing mistake on the same play allowed a second run to score, putting Clemson in a hole it couldnât climb out of.
It continues a frustrating trend. Clemson has now dropped five straight extra-inning games, including both this season, and Saturday marked the programâs longest home game since a 14-inning postseason loss in 2023.
Despite the result, the Tigers got exactly what they needed early from Michael Sharman. The left-hander delivered another steady outing, limiting damage and keeping UNC from breaking things open. He worked five innings, gave up just two earned runs, and struck out six. At one point in the fourth inning, with runners threatening, Sharman shut the door by striking out three straight hitters to keep the deficit manageable.
Clemson responded quickly. Jacob Jarrell evened things up with a deep drive to left-center, continuing his strong season at the plate. The Tigers then scratched across another run in the same inning to move in front, and later added on in the seventh to stretch the lead to 4-2.
But the inability to tack on more runs proved costly.
North Carolina chipped away with a run in the eighth before tying it in the ninth on a close play at the plate that just beat Clemsonâs throw home. From there, the game turned into a battle of missed chances.
Clemson had opportunities in the ninth, 10th, and 11th innings to walk it off, including a bases-loaded situation, but couldnât deliver the one hit it needed. Even a strong defensive play in the 12th to cut down a runner at home only delayed the outcome.
Eventually, the Tar Heels capitalized, while Clemson was left looking back at what could have been.
The Tigers will try to regroup quickly with the series finale set for Sunday afternoon.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson baseball loses to No. 6 North Carolina after 14 innings
Q&A
What was the final score of the Clemson vs. North Carolina baseball game?
The final score was 6-4 in favor of North Carolina.
How many extra-inning games has Clemson baseball lost in a row?
Clemson baseball has now lost five straight extra-inning games.
Who was the standout pitcher for Clemson in the game against North Carolina?
Michael Sharman was the standout pitcher, working five innings and allowing just two earned runs while striking out six.
