Clemson’s Erik Bakich praises Billy Amick, Caden Grice after hot ACC Tournament semifinal start

The Clemson baseball team is off to a fantastic start against North Carolina in an ACC Tournament semifinal game on Saturday, courtesy of a big blast from first baseman Billy Amick and a whole lot of offense that has followed it.

Amick struck in the first inning when he blasted a two-run homer off the giant bull in left field at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, giving Clemson an early 4-0 lead.

His journey to be in position to do that at the ACC Tournament has been an inspiring one, Clemson coach Erik Bakich said.

“He’s a special hitter. And the story is what’s incredible,” Bakich said on a live interview on the ACC Network. “He wasn’t a factor to start the year and it’s just a message to all the guys that start the year as a role player not to give up. Because Billy Amick just kept working at it and kept working hard and investing time and finally his opportunity came.

“It was a total coincidence how he got in there. A guy got hit by a pitch, another guy came out, and then he goes in and gets a couple of hits. Then before you know it he’s hitting a walk-off grand slam against Georgia State and he inserts himself into the lineup. Now it’s a lineup that we can’t write without him in the five hole.”

At the time of this writing in the fifth inning, Amick was 2-of-3 at the plate with four RBI, hitting a triple to go along with his homer. He’s got a real shot at hitting for the cycle.

The Tigers have also gotten a great ACC Tournament start on the mound from pitcher Caden Grice.

“I mean that’s how you draw up a baseball player,” Bakich said. “Just to think what he’s able to do with that ball as a two-way guy and his body and frame and just God-given ability. He’s a very special talent, but he’s an awesome teammate.

“Very easy in a draft year to just focus on yourself, but I’ve been super impressed with how he’s put his arm around a lot of younger guys and helped them along and helped them get better, not just himself. He’s a great leader and a great dude and it’s awesome to see the success he’s having.”

Grice had worked through four complete innings while allowing just two hits and one run at the time of publication. Clemson led North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinal 8-1.

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