Diamond Heels Rally Past No. 3 Clemson For Second Straight Day, Clinch Crucial Series Victory

Same story. Different day.

In front of the home crowd at Boshamer Stadium, the fourth-ranked UNC baseball team used a late rally to defeat the No. 3 Clemson Tigers in a crucial top-five showdown between two of the ACC’s best.

After scoring five runs in the seventh inning to win on Friday, the Tar Heels (35-9, 17-6 ACC) used a four-run eighth inning on Saturday to slip past the Tigers (34-10, 16-7 ACC) for a 5-4 victory.

Clemson held a 3-1 lead after the second inning, but UNC freshman starter Gianluca Dalatri settled down and kept the Tigers off the scoreboard for the next five frames.

Dalatri struck eight out Tigers during his time on the mound, but ultimately would not factor into the decision.

After Clemson extended its lead to 4-1 with a sacrifice fly from Seth Beer in the top of the eighth, the Tar Heels were down to their final six outs.

Junior centerfielder Brian Miller then grounded out to start the frame, but UNC then reeled off five consecutive singles–while also receiving help it received from a wild pitch by Tigers’ reliever Ryley Gillian.

The first two singles from Logan Warmoth and Ashton McGee–hits that chased starter Alex Eubanks from the game–preceded Gillian’s miscue.

Kyle Datres, Brandon Riley and Cody Roberts each took advantage of the situation with RBI singles–with the streak finally ending when Tyler Lynn drew a walk.

UNC scored the fourth–and final–run of the game-changing rally on a sacrifice fly from junior Zack Gahagan.

With the momentum completely on their side, the Tar Heels then sealed the deal in the top of the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning from freshman closer Josh Hiatt–his 13th save of the season.

Just like that, UNC completed its second straight comeback victory over one of the best teams in America. The win also clinched the team’s eighth consecutive ACC series win and puts the Tar Heels in prime position to earn a top-eight national seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Up Next:

UNC will go for the sweep over Clemson on Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.

FINAL BOX SCORE

‹

Tar Heel Men Maintain Home Streak Against Tigers, Win 80-61

The North Carolina men's basketball team ran away from Clemson 80-61 in a determined effort to improve to 12-7 on the season and 2-4 in the ACC while keeping intact the home unbeaten streak against the Tigers Sunday Night in the Smith Center.

Berry Fuels No. 14 UNC's Thrilling OT Road Win at Clemson

58-0: The Streak Continues as No. 7 UNC Beats Clemson in ACC Opener

For the 58th time in 58 tries, the No. 7 UNC men’s basketball team knocked off the Clemson Tigers in Chapel Hill—winning 80-69 on Wednesday night in a game that opened conference play for both teams. ”We didn’t talk about [the streak] much as a team,” UNC point guard Marcus Paige said after the game. […]

Scouting Report: A Chat with Clemson Coach Brad Brownell

WCHL's Matt Oakes had the chance to speak with the the head coach of the Clemson Tigers, Brad Brownell, as his men's basketball team prepares to host No. 19 North Carolina Saturday night at 8:15 p.m.

No. 5 UNC Picks Up Hard-Fought Road Win at Clemson, Plays Second Half Without Roy Williams on Bench

After head coach Roy Williams left the game following a vertigo spell late in the first half on Saturday night, the fifth-ranked Tar Heels rallied to defeat the Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum by a score of 81-79. With assistant coach Steve Robinson taking over Williams’ duties for the second half, UNC (24-5, 14-2 ACC) […]

Roy Williams Collapses During First Half of UNC's Game at Clemson

UNC head coach Roy Williams had a scary moment late in the first half of the Tar Heels’ game at Clemson on Saturday night, appearing to collapse on the sidelines due to a spell of vertigo. Williams has a history of issues dealing with vertigo, and suffered a similar incident during UNC’s loss at home […]

Late Rally Falls Short as No. 20 Clemson Hands No. 19 UNC First Three-Game Losing Streak Since 2014

Cameron Johnson and Joel Berry did everything they could Tuesday night to help the 19th-ranked Tar Heels erase a 16-point halftime deficit, but it would not be enough to finish the job–as No. 20 Clemson held on for an 82-78 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum. The Tigers (18-4, 7-3 ACC) hit 10 of their 15 three-pointers […]

Tar Heels Stomp Out Second-Half Rally from No. 20 Clemson, Extend Home Winning Streak to 59 Games Over the Tigers

Make it 59 consecutive wins over Clemson in Chapel Hill for the 15th-ranked Tar Heels, who nearly let a 15-point halftime lead slip away before closing out the No. 20 Tigers by a score of 87-79. The entire UNC starting five scored in double figures as the Tar Heels were unconscious from three-point range for […]

Tyler Lynn's 10th-Inning Walk-Off Single Propels UNC Baseball to Sweep of No. 3 Clemson

Three straight games. Three straight thrillers. Senior outfielder Tyler Lynn legged out an RBI infield single in the bottom of the 10th inning on Sunday, which scored Ashton McGee and helped the fourth-ranked UNC baseball team walk off as winners against the No. 3 Clemson Tigers by a score of 3-2. The victory completes a […]

Diamond Heels Rally Past No. 3 Clemson For Second Straight Day, Clinch Crucial Series Victory

Same story. Different day. In front of the home crowd at Boshamer Stadium, the fourth-ranked UNC baseball team used a late rally to defeat the No. 3 Clemson Tigers in a crucial top-five showdown between two of the ACC’s best. After scoring five runs in the seventh inning to win on Friday, the Tar Heels […]

›