#16 Tigers Upend Bulldogs 4-2 in Athens Tuesday

April 4, 2007

Athens, GA –

Junior college transfer Alan Farina pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief to earn his first win as a Tiger, as #16 Clemson defeated Georgia 4-2 in front of 2,843 fans at Foley Field Tuesday. The Tigers improved to 19-9, while the Bulldogs dropped to 10-18. The win snapped Georgia’s three-game winning streak over the Tigers at Foley Field, all of which were by one run.

Farina (1-0) gave up only one hit in 3.1 scoreless innings pitched in relief. The Chuluota, FL native struck out three without giving up a walk. Stephen Clyne pitched the final inning to pick up his first save since 2005 and third of his career. Reliever Alex McRee (1-2) allowed three runs (two earned) in 1.1 innings pitched and suffered the loss for Georgia.

Taylor Harbin collected two doubles and two RBIs to lead the Tigers offensively. Addison Johnson was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Brad Chalk also had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored for the Tigers. Jonathan Wyatt was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Georgia. Four other Bulldogs added one hit apiece.

The Bulldogs scratched with one run in the first inning. Wyatt led off with a bloop single to left-center, stole second on a failed hit-and-run, and moved to third on a groundout by Ryan Peisel. Gordon Beckham then drove Wyatt home with a groundout that deflected off second-baseman J.D. Burgess’ glove and was quickly scooped up by Harbin, and thrown to first for the putout.

The Tigers responded with one run in the top of the third. With one out, Johnson doubled to left-center. Chalk followed with a single to right field that scored Johnson and tied the score 1-1.

Clemson took the lead with two runs in the fifth. Burgess reached first base on a throwing error by Beckham and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Johnson. Chalk walked, and Harbin followed with a line-drive double down the left-field line to score Burgess and Chalk, giving the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

The Bulldogs cut Clemson’s lead in half in the bottom of the fifth thanks to some misfortune for the Tigers. With two outs, Matt Cerione hit a bad-hop double over first-baseman Ben Paulsen’s head. Mike Freeman was then hit by a pitch. Wyatt drove in Cerione with a single up the middle.

The Tigers came right back and added to their lead in the sixth inning. Doug Hogan led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Wilson Boyd. Pinch-hitter Alex Burg drew a walk and Hogan moved to third on a flyout by Burgess. Johnson then laced a two-out single through the left-side to plate Hogan.

Tiger first-baseman Andy D’Alessio, who did not dress for Tuesday’s game, suffered a pulled groin against Miami (FL) on Sunday. He is listed as day-to-day for Wednesday’s game.

Clemson and Georgia will match up again on Wednesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM.