#6 Clemson Blanks Georgia Southern 3-0 Wednesday

March 14, 2007

Clemson, SC –

David Kopp pitched 5.0 scoreless innings and three other pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout in #6 Clemson’s 3-0 win over Georgia Southern Wednesday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Clemson improved to 11-4, while Georgia Southern fell to 13-9.

Clemson continued its run of solid pitching. After Kopp (2-1) pitched 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits, Matt Zoltak, Stephen Clyne, and Daniel Moskos combined to shut down the Eagles, who entered the game hitting .326 on the season. Moskos also earned his third save of the season.

Brian Wilkerson (4-2) surrendered two runs (one earned) on six hits in 5.1 innings pitched and took the loss for the Eagles.

Clemson, who totaled 10 hits, was led by Doug Hogan, Ben Paulsen, and Marquez Smith, who had two hits apiece. Paulsen and Hogan each had RBIs as well.

Clemson jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second. Smith singled through the left side to lead off and one batter later, Hogan doubled to left field, advancing Smith to third. With two outs, David Bunnell reached on a fielding error by Wilkerson, allowing Smith to score.

In the sixth inning, Smith singled up the middle followed by Paulsen’s double to left field that brought Smith home and put the Tigers up 2-0.

Clemson scored its third run in the bottom of the eighth inning. With one out, Andy D’Alessio singled through the right side, advanced to second on a throwing error by Griffin Benedict, and advanced to third on a single by Paulsen. Hogan singled through the right side, scoring D’Alessio.

It was Clemson’s fourth shutout in a row of the Eagles dating back to 2003. Clemson also only allowed a first-inning run in another game against the Eagles in 2003, meaning the Tigers have gone 44 straight innings without allowing the Eagles to score a run.

Clemson next plays host to Duke in the Tigers’ ACC opener this weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM.