Clemson Notches 9-6 Win Over Furman In Extra Innings

May 9, 2001

GREENVILLE, SC – Clemson scored three runs in the top of the 11th inning without the aid of a hit to beat Furman 9-6 in front of a record crowd of 1,612 at Furman Baseball Stadium on Wednesday.

With the score tied 6-6, Chad Coder walked to lead off the Clemson 11th and then Steve Pyzik’s sacrifice bunt was fielded by new third baseman Cole Hubka, who threw wide of first base to score Coder from second. Kyle Frank was hit by a pitch to load the bases and then a wild pitch scored Johnson and advanced Frank and Pyzik to second and third. Casey Stone the flied out to left field to sacrifice himself to score Pyzik.

Josh Cram got the win for the Tigers in 4 2/3 innings of action. He struck out five and allowed just one hit against 14 batters to improve to 3-1 on the year. He was one of eight Clemson pitchers used as Clemson coach Jack Leggett was trying to work as many pitchers into the game as possible to prepare for next week’s ACC Tournament.

Furman reliever Rob Purvis got the loss to fall to 2-1 on the season. Clemson improved to 34-18 on the season and Furman slipped to 30-23.

Clemson got off to a quick start in the top of the first inning getting singles by three of the first four batters. Ryan Riley and Stone both singled and then Jeff Baker grounded out to third base to advance the runners. Khalil Greene singled to score Riley and then Jarrod Schmidt grounded to third to bring home Stone and give the Tigers a 2-0 lead after one inning.

Riley reached on a throwing error by the second baseman to start the third inning and was then hit home on a double by Stone. Baker hit his 20th home run of the season over the left field fence to give Clemson a 5-0 lead.

Furman capitalized on two errors by Clemson infielders and one base hit to score its first run of the game and pull within 5-1. The Paladins scored two runs in the fifth inning off B.J. LaMura when Charlie Hahl, who entered the game for an injured Clint Hill, hit a two-run home to left center that trimmed the Tiger lead to 6-3.

The Paladins tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning benefiting from a triple, two singles and a double. Danny Rueckel led off the inning with triple and was hit home by Justin Maderer who singled. Adam Ethering doubled to score Maderer and Dominic Frankey who also singled.

Stone was 4 for 5 in the game to lead the Tigers. It was the fourth time this year that he had four hits in a game. He had three RBIs and scored twice. Baker was the only other Tiger with multiple hits as he went 2 for 5 with two RBIs and one runs scored.

Clemson will close the regular season this weekend with a three-game series vs. Virginia at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1:00 PM and will conclude the series Sunday at 2:00 PM. The first game on Saturday will be televised on the Regional Sports Network and Sunday’s game will televised by College Sports Southeast. All three game will be broadcast on the Clemson Tiger Network.