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WINSTON-SALEM- Wake Forest continued to hammer Clemson pitching on Sunday as the No. 12 Demon Deacons used the long ball to run-rule the No. 2 Tigers 13-3 and complete the weekend sweep at David F. Couch Ballpark in Winston-Salem.
Wake Forest hitters combined to hit five home runs on the day, including a grand slam and two different 3-run shots.
It marks the first time Clemson has been swept in well over a year. The last time was in early April of 2023, when Wake came into Doug Kingsmore and swept a weekend series. It is also the first time the Tigers have been run-ruled this season.
The Deacs also got a masterful start from Josh Hartle as the junior left-hander picked up the win (6-2) after allowing just three runs on four hits across six innings of work. He struck out nine Clemson hitters, while walking just one.
Starting pitcher Aidan Knaak would allow six earned runs on five hits in just four-plus innings of work, as the freshman suffered his first loss of the season (4-1). He also issued a career-high six walks.
The Deacs would get to Knaak early, loading the bases in the bottom of the second. Marek Houston would then take the first pitch he saw out to right for a grand slam, putting Wake up 4-0. It was Houston’s sixth home run of the season.
Clemson would get on the board in the fourth, as Tristan Bissetta launched a one-out 3-run homer out to right-center, pulling the Tigers to within 4-3. It was his sixth long ball of the season and second of the weekend.
Freshman Jacob McGovern would come on in relief of Knaak with runners on first and second and nobody out in the fifth. Jake Reinisch would take his first pitch deep to right, giving Wake Forest a commanding 7-3 lead. It was Reinisch’s 16th homer of the season.
Jack Winnay’s 19th home run of the season, a 3-run blast in the bottom of the sixth off reliver Billy Barlow, would blow the game open, putting the Demon Deacons up 10-3.
Adam Tellier’s solo shot and a fielding error in the bottom of the seventh would push the lead to 12-3 before Seaver King’s solo shot in the bottom of the eighth off Rob Hughes would end it.
Clemson drops to 37-12 overall and 17-9 in ACC play, while Wake improves to 36-16 and 14-12. The Deacs have won nine in a row.
Up Next: Clemson will travel to Conway to face Coastal Carolina in midweek action on Tuesday as the Tigers look to snap the three-game skid. First pitch is set for 6pm and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.