Clemson baseball struggles continue after run-rule loss to Wake Forest

Clemson baseball’s struggles continued on Wednesday night, and this one got out of hand in a hurry. Facing Wake Forest at Truist Field in Charlotte, the Tigers were overwhelmed from the start and never found their footing, falling 15-4 in a game that ended early due to the run rule. The loss marks Clemson’s seventh in its last eight games and 10th in the last 14.

The tone was set immediately. Starter Dylan Harrison recorded just two outs in the first inning, walking the leadoff hitter and hitting the next batter before Wake Forest strung together timely hits to jump out to a 3-0 lead. It was another early deficit for a Clemson team that has struggled to play from ahead in recent weeks.

Things only escalated in the second inning when a time clock violation was called on Tyler Lichtenberger, ending a scoring opportunity. Head coach Erik Bakich stormed out to argue the call and was eventually ejected after continuing from the dugout. The moment summed up the frustration surrounding the team right now.

Clemson briefly showed signs of life in the middle innings. A run came across in the third, and the Tigers trimmed the deficit to 8-4 in the fifth after Tryston McCladdie launched his eighth home run of the season. Bryce Clavon also had a strong night at the plate, finishing with three hits and driving in a run.