CLEMSON, S.C. (Interstat) — Jackson Moore launched a decisive two-run homer and drove in four runs as the Clemson Tigers overcame an early deficit to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels 9-5 on Friday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the opener of a key Atlantic Coast Conference series.

The Tigers (23-12, 8-8 ACC) erased a five-run hole with an eight-run outburst between the fifth and seventh innings, handing the Tar Heels (28-6-1, 11-4-1) just their second loss in the last 16 games. The result defied pregame projections that heavily favored North Carolina.

North Carolina built a 5-0 lead through four and a half innings, capitalizing on a first-inning double play to plate its initial run and leaning on starter Jason DeCaro, who held Clemson hitless through four frames. The Tar Heels collected 10 hits in the game.

The momentum shifted violently in the bottom of the fifth. Nate Savoie ignited the rally with a solo home run to center field off DeCaro. Jack Crighton followed with a double, chasing DeCaro. Reliever Camron Seagraves entered but could not stem the tide, as Clemson strung together four consecutive hits, capped by Moore’s two-run single through the right side that tied the game 5-5.

Clemson seized control for good an inning later. After Aidan Knaak, the winning pitcher, finished his six-inning, nine-strikeout start, the Tigers immediately struck against the Tar Heel bullpen. Savoie singled and Crighton hammered a two-run homer to left-center, putting Clemson ahead 7-5.

Moore provided the exclamation point in the seventh. After Andrew Fultz was hit by a pitch, Moore connected for a towering two-run shot to right field off reliever Ben Padgett, extending the lead to 9-5. Moore finished 2 for 4.

The most critical juncture of the game was Clemson’s four-run fifth inning. It transformed a comfortable North Carolina lead into a tie game, halted DeCaro’s dominant start, and fundamentally changed the contest’s trajectory by exposing the Tar Heels’ middle relief. That inning, featuring five hits and sending nine batters to the plate, provided the Tigers the belief and momentum they carried to the finish.

North Carolina attempted a late rally in the ninth against Clemson reliever Hayden Simmerson, who struck out seven over three innings. After a leadoff strikeout and a wild pitch on a third strike that allowed a runner to reach, Colin Hynek hit a two-run homer to center. Simmerson then sealed the victory with his seventh strikeout.

Jake Schaffner also homered for North Carolina, a solo shot in the eighth. Crighton added three hits, including his homer and two doubles, for Clemson, which out-hit the Tar Heels 13-10.

The loss dropped North Carolina to 28-6-1 overall, while Clemson improved to 23-12. The teams continue the three-game series Saturday.