#7 Tigers Rally With Seven Runs in Eighth to Top N.C. State 12-6 in Game-Two of Doubleheader Saturday

March 13, 2010

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CLEMSON, SC – Wilson Boyd’s two-run, go-ahead single was part of a seven-run eighth inning that enabled #7 Clemson to rally for a 12-6 win over N.C. State in the second game of a doubleheader in front of 4,895 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday. The Tigers, who took a 2-0 series lead by sweeping the doubleheader, improved to 12-1 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. The Wolfpack dropped to 11-3 overall and 0-2 in ACC play.

The Wolfpack maintained small leads late in the game, including a 6-5 lead entering the eighth inning. But the Tigers scored seven runs in the eighth, keyed by Boyd’s go-ahead, two-run single with one out and John Hinson’s three-run double with two outs. The Tigers took advantage of 11 walks issued by N.C. State pitchers, including one in the eighth inning with the bases loaded that tied the score.

Tiger freshman righthander Dominic Leone (1-0) earned his first career win. In the final 3.0 innings pitched out of the bullpen, he gave up just two hits, no runs, and no walks with six strikeouts. N.C. State reliever Anthony Tzamtzis (1-1) suffered the loss, as he yielded three runs on one hit and two walks in 0.1 innings pitched.

The Wolfpack took the game’s first lead in the top of the fourth inning. Pratt Maynard was hit-by-pitch, then Chris Schaeffer hit a two-run homer to left-center, his second long ball of the day and third of the season.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Kyle Parker led off with a walk and Boyd followed with an opposite-field, two-run homer to left field, his second long ball of the season.

N.C. State responded with two runs in the top of the fifth inning to regain the lead. Kyle Wilson led off with a single through the right side, stole second, and scored on Dallas Poulk’s double down the right-field line. Andrew Ciencin followed with a double down the left-field line to plate Poulk.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Mike Freeman drew a two-out walk and scored on Jeff Schaus’ double down the left-field line.

Clemson evened the score in the sixth inning. Brad Miller’s triple down the right-field line. After Chris Epps walked to load the bases with two outs. But Freeman lined out to left field to keep the score tied 4-4.

The Wolfpack retook the lead in the top of the seventh inning thanks to the long ball. Ciencin led off with a single to left and Drew Poulk followed with a long two-run homer down the left-field line, his second home run of the year.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Schaus cut the N.C. State lead in half when he led off with a solo home run to right field, his fourth long ball of the season.

In the eighth inning, Hinson led off with a double to left-center, then Epps and Freeman walked to load the bases with no outs. Schaus came back from a 1-2 count to draw a walk, scoring Hinson to tie the score. Epps was retired at the plate for out #1 on Parker’s fielder’s choice. Boyd then gave Clemson its first lead of the game when he grounded a single through the right side on a 3-2 pitch to score Freeman and Schaus. Two batters later, Miller walked to load the bases with two outs, then Pohl was hit-by-pitch to plate Parker. Hinson followed with his second double of the inning, this time to right-center, to score Boyd, Miller, and Pohl.

The Tigers, who totaled 10 hits in the game, were led at the plate by Boyd. The fifth-year senior was 2-for-5 with a homer, four RBIs, and two runs. Schaus went 2-for-4 with a homer, double, three RBIs, and two runs, while Hinson came off the bench to go 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs.

Wilson led N.C. State’s 12-hit attack by going 4-for-4 with two steals, while Ciencin and Drew Poulk both added two hits apiece.

Clemson and N.C. State will play the series-finale on Sunday at 1:00 PM.