Clemson’s Richie Shaffer named ACC Player of the Week

SRichie Shaffer belts a home run in Sunday's win over USC

Clemson infielder Richie Shaffer has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Player of the Week, while Wake Forest’s Brian Holmes earned Pitcher of the Week honors.

Shaffer stood out offensively in the Tigers’ weekend series against second-ranked South Carolina, while Holmes threw a no-hitter in Sunday’s win over Marshall. 

Considering the level of competition, Shaffer had one of Clemson’s greatest three-game series in recent history at the plate. Possessing arguably the nation’s top pitching staff, the two-time defending NCAA champion Gamecocks entered the series with an incredible 0.86 ERA and .112 opponents’ batting average. Shaffer went 6-for-9 (.667) with two homers, two doubles, four RBIs, six runs, and six walks. The Charlotte, N.C., native reached base in 12 of his 15 plate appearances (.800 on-base percentage) and had a 1.556 slugging percentage. He had at least two hits in each of Clemson’s three games this past week. On both Friday and Sunday, he reached base in all five of his plate appearances. On Sunday, he went 2-for-2 with a homer and three walks and helped Clemson to a come-from-behind 6-5 win, ending South Carolina’s 19-game winning streak.

On the season, Shaffer s hitting .452 with four homers, four doubles, 12 RBIs, 12 runs, 10 walks, a .585 on-base percentage, and a .968 slugging percentage in nine games.