CLEMSON, SC -- Clemson finished off their opening ACC series with a 13-2 win over Georgia Tech to complete the sweep and improve to 15-1 on the season and 3-0 in ACC play. In Chris Williams first start at catcher since May 6, 2017, the Tigers got off to a hot start to make sure this one was decided early.
Higginbotham started the game by retiring the side in the top of the first, including one strikeout. Brant Hurter did not share the same success. He walked the first three batters he faced; hit Logan Davidson with a pitch, and walked Beer and Cromwell in full counts.
The Tigers would go on to score SEVEN runs in the bottom of the first inning off three hits, four walks, one hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice fly. Needless to say, Hurter would not come back out to pitch in the bottom of the second; Higginbotham threw just FIVE pitches in the top of the inning.
The Tigers would score two runs in the bottom of the third to make the score 9-0 in favor of the orange and regalia. Byrd would reach first on a single up the middle and then steal second on the next at-bat and reach third on a throwing error. Seth Beer would smash a ball into the Cajun Cafe in right field to send him and Byrd home.
With one out and a full count in the top of the fourth, Bart hit a line drive right at Higginbotham. He started to turn to avoid it but it hit him at the top of his chest and bounced up to hit him in the cheek. It also managed to hit his middle finger on his throwing hand. Chris Williams immediately ran out to check on his pitcher at the mound.
Higginbotham walked off the mound after removing his cap and glove and just paced some as the fans and his team worried about him. He would shake it off and throw a couple "health check" pitches and would remain in the game. He had a no-hitter up to that point with two outs in the top of the fourth but would surrender two runs off three hits, one being a home run to center field that scored both the runs.
Clemson would score one run in the bottom of the fourth on a Chris Williams home run to the Cajun Cafe and again in the bottom of the fifth on a Patrick Cromwell single to center field that scored Seth Beer from third. Travis Marr came in to pitch for Higginbotham in the top of the sixth.
Tigers wouldn't score again until a Bryce Teodosio home run to right field in the bottom of the seventh inning. Matt Cooper also saw his first action of the season, pinch hitting for the DH, Robert Jolly; he would ground out to third base on a five pitch at-bat. Teodosio would drive in the Tigers final run in the bottom of the eighth on a single to right field that scored Jordan Greene from third.
Sam Weatherly would make an appearance in the top of the ninth to try and close out the Yellow Jackets. He put out the first batter he faced, gave up a single to the next and was able to strike out the last two to finish the series off in a sweeping fashion.
In postgame, Seth Beer made a statement about how this team has been playing through their first 16 games saying, "When we play, we're almost being respectful to the game [of baseball]. We're playing our hearts out every play and every game, giving it our all." This team hasn't been perfect but they've been resilient and you can tell how much they love playing the game.
Clemson is now 15-1 on the season and 3-0 in the ACC. They also remain a perfect 13-0 at home in Doug Kingsmore Stadium. They're next game will be on Tuesday, March 13 against Charleston Southern at DKS, with first-pitch scheduled for 6:30pm.
Postgame audio from head coach Monte Lee and players, Seth Beer, Jake Higginbotham and Grayson Byrd available here.
Final stats from game 3 between Clemson and Georgia Tech.