Clemson vs Maryland Baseball Recap

Clemson 7, Maryland 5

Rightfielder Kyle Parker’s three-run home run in the sixth inning lifted the Clemson Tigers to a 7-5 win over the Maryland Terrapins to complete an ACC road series sweep.

With a 5-3 lead, Maryland reliever Adam Kolarek was sitting Clemson batters down left and right – until he got the second out in the sixth inning.  

Tigers first baseman Will Lamb knocked a single through the infield to start the rally. Lamb stole second base next before Freeman singled him over to third. A passed ball – right off the catcher’s glove – scored Lamb and moved Freeman to second to cut the Terps' lead to one. Clemson third baseman John Hinson drew a walk, setting up two runners on base for Parker. On an 0-1 count, Kyle Parker sent the winning runs over the right field wall for the 7-5 Clemson advantage and eventual victory. 

Clemson long reliever Tomas Cruz pitched masterfully in 4 2/3 innings of work after getting the Tigers out of a jam in the fifth inning. After surrendering the Terps' fifth run on a fielder’s choice (the run was charged to starter Dominic Leone), Cruz allowed only one hit and struck out 4 Terps to finish out the win for the Tigers. 

Tigers second baseman Mike Freeman extended his hitting streak to 16 games with a 1-for-4 day at the plate and a run scored. Overall, it was not the Tigers’ finest day batting - they endured 12 strikeouts - but they turned it on with two outs: 6 of Clemson’s 7 runs came with two outs in the books.

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Clemson extended its winning streak to six games and improved its record to 14-10 in the ACC and 31-17 overall. The Atlantic Division tightened up over the weekend with Clemson gaining a game on the first-place Florida State Seminoles. The Tigers now stand at two games back with two ACC series to go (on the road at Wake Forest and at home against Florida State). Division foe Boston College lost two of three to the Seminoles this weekend, dropping to 13-14 in the ACC and falling in serious danger of not even making the ACC Tournament.

The Terps dropped to 4-23 in the ACC and 16-37 overall. After Friday’s 18-6 blowout loss, Maryland had to confront the fact that it lost leads in the final two games of the series, which led to the home sweep. The Terps have next week off due to exams.   

Clemson plays out of conference next against Furman at 7:00 Eastern in Greenville, South Carolina. The Tigers will be the designated home team at Fluor Field (home of the Greenville Drive, the Boston Red Sox Class A affiliate).

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Guest Writer