Clemson Comeback Falls Short as Oregon State Wins 10-9

Feb. 24, 2001

LAS VEGAS – Tenth-ranked Clemson scored eight runs in the final three innings but could not overcome a nine-run lead as Oregon State held off Clemson for a 10-9 win at UNLV’s Wilson Stadium.

Oregon State (5-4) scored three runs in the first inning and five runs in the second thanks to three home runs and a double all with the wind. Kevin Lynn was charged with all eight runs that came from eight hits. He faced just 10 batters. He fell to 1-1 with the loss.

Clemson (4-3) managed to scored one run in the bottom of the first thanks to a Ryan Riley home run to straight-away center to pull within two runs at 3-1. Oregon State answered with the five-run second and added two more runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 10-1 lead, which it held until the seventh inning when Clemson bats came alive.

Jarrod Schmidt homered to left-centerfield for one run and then Riley doubled to score Michael Johnson, who had reached with a single two batters earlier. In the eighth inning, Clemson scored three runs with two outs. Chad Coder and Schmidt both singled and would score on a double by Kyle Frank. Johnson singled to knock in Johnson and pull the Tigers within 10-6.

In the ninth Clemson retired the batters in order, like it had in each of the previous three innings. In the bottom half of the inning facing Beaver reliever Stephen Copeland, Riley reached on a walk and then Khalil Greene singled. Baker then sent a blast over the field in left-centerfield to make it a one-run game. Copeland regained his composure and got Coder to line out to centerfield and Schmidt to ground out to the short stop.

Scott Nicholson got the win for Oregon State to improve to 2-0 on the year. He gave up six runs, all earned, on 11 hits, walking three and striking out six. Nick Glaser and Thomas Boozer came on in relief of line to allow only two runs on six hits.

Clemson and Oregon State conclude the three-game series in Las Vegas Sunday at 2:00 PM.