Clemson Walks Off Wake Forest to Win Weekend Series

Cam Cannarella is pumped up! Tigers defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 7-6 on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, Clemson, SC. (Photo By Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

Sunday’s Game 3 between the No. 4 Clemson Tigers and No. 11 Wake Forest Demon Deacons served as the rubber match, with the winner taking the weekend series. Clemson won Game 1 with a 5-1 victory, while Wake Forest claimed Game 2 in a high-scoring 12-10 contest.

In the series finale, the pitching matchup featured Clemson lefty Justin LeGuernic (0-2) against Wake Forest righty Blake Morningstar (3-0). The Tigers mounted a dramatic comeback, winning in walk-off fashion on a wild pitch, 7-6. Let’s dive into how the action unfolded on a beautiful Sunday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Wake Forest Jumps Out Early

Wake Forest struck first in the top of the first inning. After a leadoff walk, a single down the third-base line was misplayed by Josh Paino, putting runners on the corners. Kade Lewis then hit a sacrifice fly to right field to give the Demon Deacons an early lead. Preisano followed with a two-run homer to center, extending Wake’s advantage to 3-0.

Clemson starter Justin LeGuernic struggled, prompting head coach Erik Bakich to pull him after just two outs. Drew Titsworth entered from the bullpen and ended the inning with a lineout to first.

Missed Opportunities for Clemson

The Tigers had a chance to respond in the bottom of the first, loading the bases with a hit by Dominic Listi, a walk by Cam Cannarella, and a hit-by-pitch on Luke Gaffney. However, Jacob Jarrell flew out to right, leaving all three runners stranded.

Wake Forest Extends Its Lead

In the second inning, Wake Forest added three more runs. A single to right and a sacrifice fly made it 5-0, forcing Bakich to make another pitching change. Lefty BJ Bailey came in but surrendered an RBI single to left-center before settling in with back-to-back strikeouts to end the frame. Wake took a commanding 6-0 lead.

Clemson Starts to Chip Away

The Tigers finally got on the board in the bottom of the second. Tryston McCladdie led off with a double, and Dominic Listi drove him in with an RBI double to right-center, cutting the deficit to 6-1.

Bailey kept Clemson in the game with a scoreless third inning, featuring a strikeout and an inning-ending pickoff at first base.

Tigers Bullpen Shines

Hudson Lee took over in the fourth inning and delivered a strong performance, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Nathan Dvorsky entered with two outs in the fifth, inheriting a bases-loaded jam, but got a crucial strikeout to keep the score at 6-1.

TP Wentworth pitched a scoreless sixth inning, allowing just one hit.

Clemson Rallies in the Sixth

Wake Forest starter Blake Morningstar exited after five innings, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out four. The Demon Deacons turned to reliever Nate Whysong, but he struggled. Luke Gaffney walked to start the inning, and Tryston McCladdie followed with a single, advancing Gaffney to third. McCladdie then stole second. Andrew Ciufo was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.

Wake Forest made another pitching change, bringing in Haiden Leffew. Dominic Listi then delivered a two-run single through the right side, scoring Gaffney and McCladdie to make it 6-3. The rally ended with a flyout to right field.

More Bullpen Work & Late-Game Heroics

Lucas Mahlstedt entered in the seventh after a leadoff walk and pitched a hitless frame. He followed that up with a perfect eighth inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, Clemson made its move. Josh Paino and Andrew Ciufo both worked walks to put runners on base. A throwing error on Cannarella’s RBI single allowed both runners to advance, bringing Clemson within one run. Moments later, Luke Gaffney came through with an RBI single, tying the game at 6-6.

Mahlstedt continued his dominance in the ninth, striking out two before escaping a jam with a flyout to Listi in left field.

Tigers Walk It Off

Tryston McCladdie led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk and stole second. He advanced to third on a groundout by Paino. During Andrew Ciufo’s at-bat, a wild pitch allowed McCladdie to score, sealing a 7-6 walk-off victory for Clemson and clinching the series win.

Up Next

Clemson will face No. 16 Coastal Carolina in a midweek matchup on Tuesday at 6 p.m. inside Doug Kingsmore Stadium. This game is a rematch of last year's Clemson Regional Championship. Fans can watch the action on ACC Network Extra.