D’Alessio’s Eighth-Inning Homer Lifts #17 Clemson Over Boston College 4-3 Saturday

May 5, 2007

Clemson, SC –

Andy D’Alessio’s solo home run in the eighth inning led #17 Clemson to a 4-3 victory over Boston College Saturday night in the opener of a three-game series in front of 4,095 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Tigers improved to 30-15 on the season and 14-8 in conference action, while the Eagles fell to 20-24-1 overall and 11-14 in ACC play. It was the first-ever meeting between the two at Clemson.

Reliever Stephen Clyne (5-1) earned the win, as he pitched 1.2 innings, allowing only one hit while striking out four. Lefty starter Daniel Moskos pitched a career-high 7.1 innings, the longest outing by a Tiger this season. He allowed five hits and three runs with a career-high-tying eight strikeouts.

Kevin Bogan (4-5) suffered the loss despite pitching a complete game. The righthander allowed 10 hits, four runs, and four walks with eight strikeouts in an effective outing.

After three scoreless innings, Clemson broke through with two runs in the fourth. With two outs, Taylor Harbin and Ben Paulsen drew back-to-back walks. Doug Hogan then drove in Harbin with a single up the middle. Addison Johnson then scored Paulsen with a single to left to put the Tigers on top 2-0.

The Eagles scored in the fifth on a solo home run to center by Jared McGuire, his fourth of the season.

Clemson added one run in the sixth to up its lead back to two runs. Paulsen blooped a one-out single to right-center and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Johnson hit a two-out, bad-hop single through the right side to score Paulsen and give the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

The Eagles tied the score with two, two-out runs in the eighth. With one out, Ryan Hutchinson drew a walk and Johnny Ayers followed with a single through the left side. Both then stole a base, then Eric Campbell singled to right, scoring Hutchinson and Ayers to tie the score 3-3. It was the Eagles’ only hit with runners in scoring position, as they were 1-for-8 in that situation in the contest.

The Tigers took back the lead in the bottom of the eighth. D’Alessio hit the first pitch of the inning over the fence in left-center for his ninth home run of the season and 51st of his career.

In the ninth inning, McGuire reached with one out on a hit-by-pitch. After pinch-hitter Mike Augustine struck out looking for out #2, McGuire tried to advance into scoring position on an attempted steal. But Hogan threw out McGuire at second base on a close play to end the game.

Seven Tigers had at least one hit to lead their 10-hit attack. Paulsen went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, while Johnson collected two hits and two RBIs as well.

Campbell and McGuire led the Eagles with a combined three hits and three RBIs.

Clemson and Boston College will conclude the series with a doubleheader Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The first game will start at 2:00 PM, while the series-finale will begin at 6:00 PM.