CLEMSON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a dramatic reversal of fortune, the Clemson Tigers erupted for eight runs in a chaotic fifth inning to overcome an early deficit and defeat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 13-7 on Saturday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, salvaging the final game of their Atlantic Coast Conference series.

The Tigers, who had been shut out and outscored 19-3 in the first two games of the series, trailed 7-2 entering the bottom of the fifth before unleashing an offensive barrage that saw 14 batters come to the plate. The inning featured five hits, four walks, two hit batters, a wild pitch, a passed ball and three Georgia Tech pitchers failing to record an out.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly that bottom of the fifth, which completely shifted the momentum and ultimately decided the contest. After Georgia Tech starter Jackson Blakely, who had held Clemson hitless through four and one-third innings, suddenly lost command, the Tigers pounced. The rally was capped by a two-run double from center fielder Tryston McCladdie, who delivered the decisive blow to give Clemson a 10-7 lead it would not relinquish.

McCladdie, the top star for Clemson, broke out of a recent slump in emphatic fashion, going 4 for 6 with two doubles and four RBIs. His performance was a stark contrast to his previous two games in the series, where he had managed just one hit in seven at-bats.

Georgia Tech had built its early lead on the strength of two powerful swings. Will Baker launched a solo home run in the second inning, and Carson Kerce blasted a three-run shot in the fifth to extend the Yellow Jackets’ advantage to 7-2. Kerce finished 3 for 4 with a homer, a double and four RBIs, while Baker went 3 for 4 with a homer, two doubles and two RBIs.

Clemson’s bullpen proved critical after starter Drew Titsworth allowed two runs on three hits over three innings. Relievers Drew Titsworth, Danny Nelson and others combined to limit Georgia Tech’s potent offense after the fifth inning, with Nelson striking out three over two innings of one-run ball to help secure the win.

The Tigers added three unearned runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Ty Dalley and Jack Crighton, to provide crucial insurance. Dalley drove in three runs, while Crighton had three hits and two RBIs. Catcher Jacob Jarrell added a two-run homer during the fifth-inning explosion.

Georgia Tech, which entered the game with a 15-2 record, saw its six-game winning streak snapped. The Yellow Jackets collected 13 hits but stranded multiple runners and could not answer Clemson’s explosive inning. Clemson improved to 16-4 overall.

The victory defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted an 8-7 Georgia Tech win, though the Tigers’ 59% win probability according to the ELO system ultimately proved accurate.

Clemson next travels to face the College of Charleston on Tuesday. Georgia Tech will visit Auburn on the same day.