Crownover Pitches No. 15 Tigers Over Wolfpack 6-1 Saturday

CLEMSON, S.C. – Matthew Crownover allowed just one run on three hits in 8.0 innings pitched to lead No. 15 Clemson to a 6-1 victory over NC State at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Clemson (20-9, 9-3 ACC), who upped its winning streak to six, took a 1-0 series lead over NC State (17-12, 3-10 ACC), who lost its 10th ACC contest in a row.

Crownover (6-2) earned the win by giving up just three hits, one run and two walks with seven strikeouts. Wolfpack starter Carlos Rodon (2-5) suffered the loss in a complete-game effort.

“Matthew did a good job for us today,” said Head Coach Jack Leggett. “He went out there and threw strikes, and the defense played well behind him.

“Crownover’s deep start was critical. We’re down a couple pitchers, so it was important that he go out and pitch deep into the game. He’s a tough competitor.”

The Wolfpack took a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the fourth inning before the Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth on two-out, run-scoring singles by Chris Okey and Steve Wilkerson to take the lead for good. Clemson added one run in the sixth inning and three runs in the eighth inning. All six Tiger runs scored with two outs.

“Offensively, we were in a really good place,” added Leggett. “Rodon is a really good pitcher, but we knew what we wanted to do and stuck to our plan. Steve Wilkerson got some big hits and I thought we got good at-bats up and down the order.”

The series continues Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPNU. It is Social Sunday, as fans who show their coupon on Twitter or Instagram at @ClemsonBaseball can receive a 16 oz. drink for $2.

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