Hurricanes Even Series With 2-1 Win Over #12 Tigers Saturday

Coral Gables, FL –

Bryan Radziewski struck out 10 batters in 7.0 innings pitched to lead Miami (FL) to a 2-1 win over #12 Clemson in front of 2,588 fans at Alex Rodriguez Park on Saturday afternoon.  The Hurricanes, who evened the series 1-1, improved to 26-16 overall and 9-11 in the ACC.  The Tigers, who saw their 11-game winning streak come to an end, fell to 27-12 overall and 13-7 in ACC play.  It was Clemson’s first loss since April 1, when the Tigers fell at #1 North Carolina 6-2 in a game that started on March 31.

Clemson scored a run in the second inning, but the Hurricanes tied the score in the third inning.  Miami took the lead with a run in the fifth inning, and neither team could score again, as Miami snapped Clemson’s six-game winning streak in one-run games and six-game winning streak on the road.

Radziewski (6-1) gave up just two hits, one run, and four walks with 10 strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched to earn the win.  Eric Nedeljkovic pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record his ninth save of the year.  Miami’s three pitchers combined to hold Clemson to 1-for-13 with runners on base and 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position while striking out 13 batters.

Tiger starter Matthew Crownover (5-1) suffered his first collegiate loss.  In 4.1 innings pitched, he allowed seven hits, two unearned runs, and one walk.  In 17.0 innings pitched in the series, the Clemson pitching staff has yet to allow an earned run.

In the top of the second inning, Steve Wilkerson and Steven Duggar led off with walks, then both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch as Tyler Krieger struck out for out #1.  Jon McGibbon then lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Wilkerson.  Kevin Bradley followed with a blooper to shallow left field, but Tyler Palmer made a diving catch to end the inning and save a run.

Chantz Mack led off the bottom of the second inning with a single through the right side on a 1-2 pitch.  Two batters later, Garrett Kennedy drew a one-out walk, then Brad Fieger loaded the bases with an infield single.  But Brandon Lopez grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.

In the third inning, Palmer laced a one-out single to right-center and advanced to second on an error on the play.  Alexander Hernandez followed with a single through the left side to move Palmer to third, then David Thompson popped up to second for out #2.  However, Mack belted a single through the right side to plate Palmer and tie the score 1-1.

Dale Carey led off the fifth inning with a bunt single, advanced to second on Palmer’s sacrifice bunt, and moved to third on an error on a failed pickoff attempt.  Hernandez laced a single through the right side to score Carey and give the Hurricanes their first lead of the series.

In the ninth inning, Krieger grounded a two-out single through the right side, then McGibbon grounded a 1-2 pitch through the left side for a single.  But pinch-hitter Joe Costigan grounded out to first to end the game.

Mack led the Hurricanes by going 3-for-4 with an RBI.  Hernandez added two hits and an RBI for the Hurricanes, who outhit the Tigers 8-4.

Garrett Boulware had a team-high two hits for Clemson, while McGibbon had the Tigers’ only RBI.

Clemson and Miami will play game-three of the three-game series on Sunday at 1:00 PM.  The game will be televised by CSS and will be available via webcast on ESPN3.