Sharpe Stifles Keydets in Clemson’s 8-2 Win in Game 2 of Doubleheader

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CLEMSON, S.C. – Freshman righthander Davis Sharpe allowed just one hit with 11 strikeouts in 6.0 scoreless innings pitched to lead No. 14 Clemson to an 8-2 victory over Virginia Military in the second game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers, who took a 2-0 lead in the series, improved to 5-1, while the Keydets fell to 2-5.

Sharpe (2-0) earned the win by facing just one batter over the minimum. He gave up a single to the first batter of the game, then retired the next 12 Keydets. His 11 strikeouts were the most by a Tiger since May 18, 2017, when Charlie Barnes registered 11 strikeouts against NC State. It was also the most strikeouts in a game by a Tiger freshman since April 3, 2012, when Daniel Gossett totaled 13 strikeouts against Winthrop. Keydet starter Adam Jewell (0-1) suffered the loss, as he gave up four runs on three hits in 5.0 innings pitched.

Clemson plated four runs in the fourth inning, started by Grayson Byrd’s run-scoring double and capped by freshman Adam Hackenberg’s three-run homer, his second of the season. In the sixth inning, Grayson Byrd belted a solo homer, his first of the year, then in his first career plate appearance, freshman Bryar Hawkins crushed a three-run homer in the seventh inning.

The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m., on ACC Network Extra. Kids can run the bases after the game.

Photos by Carl Ackerman