CLEMSON - UNC piitcher Michael Morin struck out Phil Pohl with two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth inning to preserve North Carolina's 4-3 victory over Clemson in front of 4,441 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday.
The Tar Heels improved to 11-2 overall and 1-0 in the ACC. The Tigers fell to 6-5 overall and 0-1 in ACC play. It was the Tigers' fourth one-run loss of the season, and they have lost their five games by a combined seven runs.
The Tar Heels used four consecutive hits to score three runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 4-1 lead, then Clemson clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. But the Tigers stranded a combined seven runners on base in the last three innings without scoring, including the bases loaded in the ninth inning, and were unable to send the Tigers off in winning fashion in Jack Leggett's 1,200th game as head coach at Clemson.
Tiger starter Kevin Brady (0-1) suffered the loss, as he gave up six hits, four runs, and no walks with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings pitched.
Richie Shaffer went 3-for-4 with a triple, RBI, run, and walk to lead the Tigers, who outhit North Carolina 8-7.
Clemson and North Carolina will play game-two of the three-game series on Saturday at 2:00 PM.
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