Clemson walks-off Louisville in Charlotte

Louisville (32-24, 16-14) took a commanding 6-0 lead after the top of the 4th inning, but like we have seen too often this season, the bats went cold, and the bullpen could not preserve the lead as the Tigers etched their 24th comeback win of the season in dramatic fashion.

The Cardinals bats were hot out of the gate, scoring in the first four innings to start the game. JT Benson set the tone early as he launched the 3rd pitch of the game into the bleachers for a solo home run to get the scoring started.

Luke Napleton did not waste any time in the 2nd inning, blasting this towering shot off the scoreboard after Gavin Kilen doubled to begin the inning.

Louisville was able to manufacture another run in the 2nd, followed by a run in the 3rd and 4th as they had Clemson looking uninterested in a game that had no implications on the future of their season. The Tigers are a lock to be a national seed and after Miami going 2-0 in pool play, they could not advance in the ACC Tournament.

Sebastian Gongora (5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 6 K) was dominant to start the game, but got in a little bit of trouble in the 6th inning. The coaching staff opted to bring in Evan Webster (1.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER) who started against Miami on Tuesday morning. Webster quickly gave up a 2-run home run but was able to limit the damage with the Cards clinging on to a 6-4 lead.

Louisville scored an insurance run in the 7th inning off a ground ball that the Clemson shortstop bobbled, but the Tigers showed the same resiliency we have seen from them all season.

In the bottom of the 8th inning, Jimmy Obertop, the Michigan transfer, belted a 3-run home run and later drew a walk-off walk in the 9th inning with the bases loaded to seal the win, 8-7.

Coach McDonnell continued to remain optimistic in his press conference that this is a post-season baseball team, but you will not find a projected field of 64 with Louisville in the tournament and bid stealers are on the prowl as conference tournaments wrap up this weekend.

Earning the 7-seed in the 2nd best conference in college baseball is not easy, but is that enough to earn an at-large bid with a RPI of 61? I don’ think so.

The selection show is scheduled for Monday at noon on ESPN2.