#11 Clemson Evens Series With 4-1 Win Over Miami (FL) Saturday

March 31, 2007

Clemson, SC –

Three Tiger pitchers combined to allow just three hits, as #11 Clemson topped Miami (FL) 4-1 in front of 5,239 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Saturday. The Tigers, who evened the series, improved to 18-8 on the season and 5-3 in conference action, while the Hurricanes fell to 16-13 overall and 4-7 in ACC play.

Stephen Clyne, a native of Parkland, FL, pitched 2.0 hitless and scoreless inning in relief, while Daniel Moskos pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his sixth save of the season. Scott Maine (2-5) pitched 6.0 innings, and allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits to take the loss for Miami.

After two scoreless innings, the Tigers broke through with three runs in the third. Leadoff batter J.D. Burgess was hit by a pitch, and Addison Johnson laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached on a fielding error by Maine. Brad Chalk hit a bunt single to the pitcher to load the bases. Taylor Harbin reached on a fielder’s choice to second base that scored Burgess. Marquez Smith then grounded out to second base to score Johnson. Andy D’Alessio drove Harbin home with a double down the right-field line to put the Tigers on top 3-0.

Miami got on the board with one run in the fifth inning. Dennis Raben led off with a double down the left-field line and advanced to third on Dave DiNatale’s single to right-center. Jason Hagerty then drove Raben home on a single through the right side. The back-to-back-to-back hits were the only three of the game for the Hurricanes.

Clemson tacked on one final run in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a Hurricane error. Chalk led off with a single up the middle and stole second. Smith bounced an infield single to third base. On the play, Mark Sobolewski’s throw to first was low, allowing Chalk to score all the way from second.

Chalk went 3-for-4 to lead the Tigers, who had seven hits. D’Alessio, Harbin, and Smith had an RBI apiece. Hogan’s 13-game hitting streak ended, as he was 0-for-4.

Freshman Addison Johnson got several standing ovations, as he highlighted Clemson’s defense with two diving catches in left field, including one in the third inning that saved a run.

Clemson and Miami will conclude their three-game series Sunday at 12:00 PM.