Clemson Baseball Stuns Wake Forest in ACC Slugfest with Epic Comeback, but Falls Short in Heartbreaking Finish

In a game that will be remembered for years to come, the Clemson Tigers nearly pulled off the unthinkable against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in an ACC baseball showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats. In a thrilling, high-scoring affair that seemed to have no end in sight, Clemson mounted a jaw-dropping comeback before ultimately falling short in a heartbreaking 13-12 loss. Despite the loss, the Tigers’ resilience and determination to fight back against the Demon Deacons’ overpowering offense will be remembered as one of the most electrifying moments of the season.

Early Dominance by Wake Forest

The game started with Wake Forest coming out swinging. The Demon Deacons jumped on Clemson early, as their powerful lineup blasted four home runs in the first three innings. The Tigers’ pitching staff appeared overwhelmed by Wake Forest’s offensive juggernaut, which was hitting balls out of the park and scoring runs in bunches. By the top of the fourth inning, Wake Forest had built a commanding 9-1 lead, and it seemed like the game was slipping away from Clemson.

Clemson’s starting pitcher, sophomore Luke Thompson, struggled with his command, walking multiple batters and allowing several hard-hit balls to find gaps in the outfield. Head coach Monte Lee decided to make a quick change, bringing in junior reliever Alex Torres in hopes of stopping the bleeding. Torres was able to settle the game down for a few innings, keeping the Demon Deacons from adding more runs, but the damage had already been done.

However, the Tigers were not about to go down without a fight.

The Rally Begins

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Clemson showed signs of life. After a leadoff single from junior third baseman Josh Thompson, freshman outfielder Tyler Matthews belted a towering two-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 9-3. The Clemson crowd erupted, and it was clear that the Tigers had found their spark.

Wake Forest starter, senior right-hander Caleb Parker, looked rattled for the first time in the game. Clemson’s bats, which had been silent for much of the early innings, were now alive and dangerous. The Tigers went on to add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, making it a 9-5 game. After a quick scoreless inning from the bullpen, the Tigers were within striking distance.

The Heart-Stopping Seventh Inning

The seventh inning saw the most dramatic shift in momentum of the entire game. Wake Forest, desperate to regain control, added another run in the top of the seventh, extending their lead to 10-5. But Clemson wasn’t finished yet.

It was now or never for the Tigers. They were facing a two-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh, and Wake Forest’s ace reliever, senior Jacob Montgomery, was brought in to try and stop the bleeding. But Montgomery struggled from the start, walking two batters and allowing a double to right field from senior captain Drew Lewis, which scored one run and cut the Demon Deacons’ lead to 10-6.

With the bases loaded and only one out, Clemson’s hottest hitter, sophomore shortstop Evan Harris, came up to the plate. Harris, who had been on fire all season, didn’t disappoint. On a 2-1 count, Harris launched a monstrous grand slam to straightaway center field, putting the Tigers ahead 10-6 and sending the Clemson crowd into a frenzy.

In the span of just a few minutes, Clemson had erased a four-run deficit and taken their first lead of the game, 11-10.

Wake Forest’s Response

But Wake Forest, a team known for its resilience, wasn’t going to let the game slip away that easily. The Demon Deacons came right back in the top of the eighth, scoring two runs off of freshman reliever Michael Carter, who had been lights out in previous appearances. With runners on second and third and one out, Wake Forest’s senior outfielder Kyle Davis hit a two-RBI double to put the Deacons back in the lead, 12-11.

The Clemson defense, which had been shaky at times earlier in the game, now had to find a way to stop the bleeding and give their team one more shot to tie it or take the lead.

The Final Act: A Heartbreaking Finish

The Tigers entered the bottom of the ninth down by one, with their backs against the wall. The crowd, still buzzing from the previous inning’s high drama, knew it was their final chance to see a miracle.

Wake Forest turned to their closer, junior pitcher Brian Holloway, who had been a dominant force all season. Holloway struck out the first batter he faced, but then allowed a single to right field from senior outfielder Jared Walker. The Tigers were alive, and it seemed like the baseball gods might be on their side.

With Walker on first, the potential tying run, Clemson’s leadoff hitter, freshman Ryan Carter, stepped up to the plate. Carter had already shown glimpses of his potential earlier in the game with a well-placed double. However, Holloway showed why he was one of the best closers in the ACC. After a lengthy at-bat, Holloway struck out Carter on a nasty slider, leaving the Tigers with one final opportunity.

The game’s last hope fell to junior first baseman Adam Simmons, who had struggled in the earlier innings but had shown signs of life in the late stages of the game. Simmons worked the count full, and on the sixth pitch of the at-bat, he connected on a hard ground ball to shortstop. Wake Forest’s star shortstop, Johnny Miller, made a diving stop, getting the force at second base to end the game.

As the final out was made, Wake Forest’s players erupted in celebration, while the Clemson Tigers were left stunned and exhausted. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Clemson had made it clear that they were not to be underestimated. Their never-say-die attitude, incredible comeback, and relentless fight had left a lasting impression on the ACC and beyond.

Looking Ahead

While Clemson may have fallen short in this thriller, the team showed the heart and determination that will fuel them as they move forward in the season. Their fight in this game will no doubt serve as a rallying cry for the remainder of the season as they look to make a deep run in the ACC tournament and beyond.

Wake Forest, on the other hand, will walk away from this game with a hard-earned victory, but they too will know that this game was not won easily. The Demon Deacons will need to stay sharp and continue to build on their momentum as the season heats up.

In the end, this game will go down as one of the most dramatic and thrilling baseball contests in recent memory, and it serves as a testament to the passion and excitement that college baseball can bring to fans everywhere.