#13 Tigers Score Two in Ninth to Walk Off With 3-2 Win Over Saint John’s Friday

June 1, 2007

Myrtle Beach, SC –

Brad Chalk’s two-out single in the ninth inning scored Wilson Boyd to cap #13 Clemson’s come-from-behind 3-2 win over Saint John’s in the opening game of the Myrtle Beach Regional in front of 3,527 fans at Coastal Federal Field on Friday. The Tigers trailed 2-1 after the Red Storm scored a run in the top of the ninth inning, but the Tigers rallied for the win to move into the winners’ bracket. Clemson, the #2 seed, also improved to 39-21 overall, while the #3-seed Red Storm fell to 40-18.

Clemson’s win meant the Tigers reached the 39-win mark for the 22nd consecutive season. It was also the fourth walkoff hit by Clemson in 2007.

Tiger reliever Alan Farina (6-3) earned the win despite allowing a run in 1.0 innings pitched. Starter Daniel Moskos pitched a career-long 8.0 innings, allowing seven hits, one run, and one walk with four strikeouts. Moskos also retired the last 12 Saint John’s batters that he faced after allowing a home run.

Saint John’s reliever Colin Lynch (1-2) suffered the loss, as he allowed two runs in 1.0 innings pitched. Starter Scott Barnes pitched 7.2 innings, allowing just six hits, one run, and one walk with seven strikeouts. Like Moskos, Barnes retired 12 batters in a row at one point.

Chris Joachim gave the Red Storm a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning when he led off with a solo homer to left field, his second of the season.

The Tigers tied the score in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to two infield singles. Addison Johnson led off with an infield single to first base and went to second on J.D. Burgess’ sacrifice bunt, his second of the game. After Johnson advanced to third on a wild pitch, Chalk singled to second base over the drawn-in infield to score Johnson.

A two-out rally in the top of the ninth inning gave the lead back to the Red Storm. After Farina struck out the first two Saint John’s batters, Ryan Mahoney walked. Jeff Grantham then singled up the middle to advance Mahoney to third base. After Grantham stole second, Brian Kemp hit a slow roller between first and second base. First-baseman Andy D’Alessio fielded the ball, but the speedy Kemp beat Farina to first base for an infield single, allowing Mahoney to score the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Doug Hogan, who earlier extended his hitting streak to 11 games, hit a one-out triple to right field. Boyd, a pinch-hitter, walked on a 3-2 pitch, as the ball got away from catcher Brendan Monaghan. Hogan scored on the wild pitch to tie the score 2-2. Johnson followed with a single to left-center, as Boyd advanced to second. After Burgess struck out for out #2, Chalk slapped a single to shortstop. The ball bounced off Grantham and went into shallow left field. Boyd was waved home, and he just beat the throw and tag to give the Tigers the walkoff victory.

Chalk led the Tigers with three hits and two RBIs, while Johnson added three hits and Hogan totaled two hits. Monaghan and Grantham had two hits apiece for the Red Storm.

Clemson will play #1-seed Coastal Carolina on Saturday at 4:00 PM on ESPNU. The Tigers will be the home team and occupy the third-base dugout.