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Clemson takes big early lead following home run off massive bull in outfield at ACC Tournament

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•05/27/23
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
A big bull behind the left field wall looks on at Durham Bulls Athletic Park during the 2023 ACC Baseball Tournament. (Eakin Howard / USA TODAY Sports)

In an ACC Tournament semifinal game that could end up delayed by weather at some point, Clemson wasted little time making sure it’s in a dominant position if any decisions have to be made on the game.

The Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead over North Carolina in the bottom of the first inning, highlighted by a monster home run by first baseman Billy Amick.

Amick drilled a pitch over the wall in left field, hitting a massive bull sign that advertises “Hit Bull, Win Steak.” Well Amick will be eating good on Saturday night.

Amick’s big shot came after his teammates started the fun in the first frame.

Following a leadoff pop-out for the first out of the inning, right fielder Cooper Ingle singled to left field, then left fielder Will Taylor singled to third base.

A double down the right field line by pitcher Caden Grice plated both runners to put Clemson up 2-0.

Amick’s big shot over the left field wall was next, plating Grice and making it 4-0 Tigers. Following a flyout for the second out, third baseman Blake Wright homered to right field to extend the lead to 5-0 in the first inning.

The Tigers managed to chase Tar Heels starting pitcher Connor Bovair in the process, running him out after just two outs. Bovair gave up five hits and five runs while failing to strike anyone out. He faced just eight batters.

His replacement, Ben Peterson, gave up a walk but was able to work out of the inning with an infield groundout.

Still, Clemson now leads 5-0 in the ACC Tournament semifinal, having already chased the North Carolina start pitcher. That’s pretty dominant position to be in, particularly with suspect weather looming.

The winner of the ACC Tournament semifinal between Clemson and North Carolina will meet the winner of Miami and Wake Forest on Sunday.