10th-Ranked Clemson Defeats Elon 5-3 Tuesday

March 21, 2006

Clemson, SC-

Five different Tigers had multiple-hit games as 10th-ranked Clemson defeated Elon 5-3 in front of 2,908 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Tuesday. The Tigers improved to 12-6, and the Phoenix dropped to 17-7.

Herman Demmink, Brad Chalk, Tyler Colvin, Andy D’Alessio, and Stan Widmann each had two hits apiece for Clemson, who outhit Elon 13-8. Donny Jobe and Adam Weaver had two hits apiece to lead Elon offensively.

Freshman lefthander Ryan Hinson (1-0) pitched a career high 5.0 innings in relief, allowing one run on two hits and striking out six to earn his first victory as a Tiger. Both hits came with two outs in the ninth inning. His longest previous outing was 1.0 inning. Steven Hensley suffered the loss for Elon, giving up five runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings pitched, falling to 0-3.

Elon scored an unearned run after the first two batters were retired in the first. Chris Price reached on a throwing error by Widmann, and moved to second on a single down the left-field line by Chris Vasami. Robert Rodebaugh walked to load the bases, and then a walk to Grant Rembert brought home Price for the first run of the night.

Demmink broke an 0-for-14 slump with a one-out single to right in the third. Taylor Harbin singled through the right side with two outs, and Colvin followed with a looping single to center to score Chalk, who had reached on a fielder’s choice. Colvin stole second, and then D’Alessio hit a three-run home run to right-center to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead, his third of the season.

Paul Bennett hit a sacrifice fly to left in the fourth to score Rodebaugh, who earlier singled.

Donny Jobe and Weaver both singled to begin the fifth, signaling the end of the night for Tiger starter David Kopp. The Tigers brought in Hinson, and Jobe was thrown out by Adrian Casanova attempting to steal third. D.J. Mitchell then saved at least one run with a diving catch in right on a line drive by Price. Mitchell started for Travis Storrer, who did not play in Tuesday’s game due to a strained abdominal muscle. His status is listed as day-to-day.

Demmink singled with two outs in the sixth, and then stole second. Chalk followed with a hustle double to center that scored Demmink.

With two outs in the ninth, Ryan Addison hit a solo home run to left, his second of the season.

The Tigers stole a season-high five bases, including two by Demmink, and one each by Chalk, Colvin, and Mitchell.

Clemson and Elon conclude their two-game series Wednesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium at 4:00 PM.