The University of Louisville baseball team defeated Clemson 11-6 on April 25 at Jim Patterson Stadium. Louisville scored five runs in the eighth inning to break a tie and secure the win.
This victory moves Louisville to a record of 25-18 overall and 9-11 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Clemson falls to 26-18 overall and 6-14 in conference play. The result gives Louisville an opportunity for a series sweep against Clemson.
Clemson took an early lead with two home runs in the first inning, but Louisville pitcher Ethan Eberle responded by holding them scoreless over the next five innings. Ben Slanker drove in Jimmy Nugent for Louisville’s first run, followed by Nugent’s solo home run to start the fourth inning. A misplayed flyball later allowed Kade Elam and Kyle Campbell to score, giving Louisville a brief lead.
Alex Alicea and Zion Rose added run-scoring singles in the sixth inning as Louisville built its advantage. After Eberle left the game, Clemson tied it up with three runs in the seventh. Jack Brown kept Clemson off the board in the top of the eighth before Alicea and Moore walked, setting up Rose’s go-ahead single. Additional walks and hits from Bayram Hot and Nugent extended Louisville’s lead, aided by a throwing error that capped off their five-run frame.
Aaron England pitched a perfect ninth inning with three strikeouts to close out the game for Louisville. Brown earned his fourth win of the season with two innings of relief work. Offensively, Nugent led with three hits as part of a team total of thirteen; Rose, Slanker, and Elam each had two hits.
Louisville will aim for a sweep over Clemson when they meet again on Sunday at Jim Patterson Stadium.
