#7 Clemson Powers Past Virginia Tech 13-8 in Second Game of Doubleheader Saturday to Sweep Series

March 20, 2010

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Clemson, SC –

John Nester went 2-for-4 with a career-high four RBIs to lead #7 Clemson to a 13-8 victory over Virginia Tech in the second game of a doubleheader in front of 5,580 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday night. The Tigers, who swept the three-game series 3-0, improved to 17-2 overall and 6-0 in the ACC. Virginia Tech dropped to 13-8 overall and 2-4 in ACC play.

Sophomore righthander Scott Weismann (3-0) earned the win in a starting role, as he allowed six hits, two runs (one earned), and one walk with a career-high seven strikeouts in 6.0 innings pitched. Jonathan Meyer pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to record his second save of the year.

Hokie starter Joe Mantiply (2-1) suffered the loss, as he yielded seven hits, six runs, and two walks with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings pitched.

The Hokies took the game’s first lead in the top of the second inning. Ronnie Shaban led off with a single to center and advanced to third on Anthony Sosnoskie’s double to right-center. Two batters later, Matt Blow’s groundout plated Shaban.

The Tigers came right back and took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Wilson Boyd hit a one-out double down the right-field line to extend his hitting streak to 10 games and Addison Johnson then tripled down the right-field line to score Boyd, Shaffer, and Stolz.

In the top of the third inning, Sean Ryan led off with a single up the middle, stole second, and advanced to third when Nester’s throw went into centerfield. Buddy Sosnoskie followed with an infield single to bring home Ryan.

Clemson answered with three runs for the second inning in a row in the bottom of the third. Mike Freeman led off with a single up the middle. Two batters later, Kyle Parker singled through the right side to move Freeman to third, then Boyd lined a 1-2 pitch to center for a single to score Freeman. Will Lamb followed with a groundout that enabled Parker to score, then Nester singled through the left side to bring home Boyd.

In the fourth inning, Johnson led off with an infield single, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a wild pitch as Brad Miller walked. Freeman’s sacrifice fly to center scored Johnson, upping Clemson’s lead to 7-2.

After two scoreless innings, the Hokies rallied in the top of the seventh inning. Tony Balisteri led off with a single to left field. After the next two Hokies were retired, Austin Wates singled up the middle and Steve Domecus walked to load the bases. Shaban then came through with a single through the right side to score Balisteri and Wates. Tomas Cruz kept the Tigers ahead by three runs when he struck out Anthony Sosnoskie with runners on second and third to end the frame.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Jeff Schaus led off with a single up the middle and Parker followed with a walk. Two batters later, Lamb walked with one out to load the bases, then Nester was hit-by-pitch to bring home Schaus. Pinch-hitter John Hinson hit a sacrifice fly to right-center to plate Parker, then Johnson reached safely on a fielding error by Shaban, allowing Lamb to score.

But the Hokies refused to go quietly. In the top of the eighth inning, Michael Seaborn led off with a single up the middle. After the next two batters were retired, Ryan walked and Buddy Sosnoskie singled up the middle to score Seaborn. Ryan also scored on the play when Johnson’s throw to third base was errant. Wates followed with a two-run homer to right-center, his second long ball of the season, to narrow Clemson’s lead to 10-8.

Clemson added to its lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Freeman led off with a single to center. Two batters later, Parker walked and Boyd singled to the fence in left-center to score Freeman. After Lamb struck out for out #2, Nester came through with a double to right-center to score Parker and Boyd.

Boyd had a game-high three hits, including a double, and added two RBIs and three runs. Parker went 2-for-4 with three runs, while Johnson went 2-for-4 with a triple and a career-high three RBIs for the Tigers, who totaled 13 hits in the game.

Virginia Tech, who also tallied 13 hits, was led at the plate by Ryan, Buddy Sosnoskie, Wates, Shaban, Anthony Sosnoskie, and Seaborn, who all had two hits apiece.

Clemson’s win in the series-finale marked its 14th home victory in a row against the Hokies. The Tigers’ 6-0 ACC start is also their best since 2004, when they also started 6-0 in league play.

Clemson will host Elon in a two-game midweek series starting Tuesday at 6:30 PM.