by TYLER HATHAWAY
Gage Ziehl went the distance, earning career-highs in both innings pitched (nine) and strikeouts (15) as the University of Miami (15-10, 6-4 ACC) walked-off with a 3-2 win over the No. 3 Clemson Tigers (22-3, 5-2 ACC), Thursday night.
Ziehl, a Penfield product, faced 34 batters. The right-hander gave up seven hits, did not walk a batter, and improved his record to 2-2. His career mark now stands at 13-8.
“I was just throwing it in there”, Ziehl told the University of Miami Sports Information department. “I got ahead and made them swing at bad pitches. My defense helped me out behind me and the bats came alive in the last inning.”
The junior right-hander set down on strikes the first three batters he faced and had at least two strikeouts in six of the nine innings.
In the fifth inning, Ziehl struck out two batters to end the frame, leaving a Tiger on second base. In the seventh, Ziehl retired two straight batters to get out of trouble with a runner stranded on third.
He retired the side in order in the ninth with two groundouts and a strike out to end the inning. Jack Scanlon walked the game off for the Hurricanes with a two-run home run down the right field line.
Clemson’s Alden Mathes connected on a second-inning solo shot for the only run off Ziehl in the outing.
In March of 2023, Ziehl took home ACC Pitcher of the Week honors. In May of that same year, he was named the National Pitcher of the Week.
With Penfield, Ziehl had an ERA of 0.88 and racked up 202 strikeouts over the course of 120 innings. At the plate, he batted .427 with 61 RBI and seven homers over his three year career. He led the Patriots to a sectional title in 2021 when he hurled a one-hit shutout against Hilton in the championship game, winning 6-0. Ziehl had an ERA of 0.17 and allowed one run over 42 innings. Section V named him the 2021 Class AA Player of the Year.
“To get a win like this is huge”, said Ziehl. “We need to carry that into tomorrow.”
Miami will host Clemson for two more games this weekend, with the next one being a 7:00 first pitch Friday night.
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