Baseball Downs Western Carolina

March 17, 1998

CLEMSON, SC — Brian Adams allowed just one run in 7 1/3 innings and Patrick Boyd smashed his fifth home run of the season to lead fifth-ranked Clemson to a 5-1 victory over Western Carolina Tuesday night at Tiger Field. Clemson, who won its eighth straight game on St. Patrick’s Day, improved to 21-2 with the victory, while Western Carolina fell to 15-6. The same two teams meet Wednesday afternoon at Western Carolina. The game was played in a steady drizzle and in 36 degree temperatures.

The victory was career number 601 for Clemson coach Jack Leggett and he gained it against the school he coached from 1985-89. He had earned victory number 600 this past Saturday against his alma mater, Maine. Leggett is now 10-1 against his former team.

Clemson got off to a good start in the very first inning when Boyd, a freshman centerfielder, hit his fifth home run of the season. The shot was hit down the left field line and it was his fifth home runs of the season.

Clemson took a 2-0 lead in the third on a walk by Boyd and a double by Jason Harris, Clemson’s leading hitter this season with a .423 average.

The Tigers carried the 2-0 lead into the top of the eighth. Tiger starter Brian Adams allowed just five hits and one walk in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out six. It was the second straight outstanding performance for the sophomore from Bishopville. He defeated Coastal Carolina a week ago with almost an identical performance. He allowed just one run on two hits in seven innings in that contest. He earned the win on Wednesday to improve his record to 3-0. Scott Clackum recorded his fifth save of the season.

Western Carolina scored its only run of the game in the top of the eighth to close the margin to 2-1. Martin Barrow led off with a single. Then Chuck Koone singled up the middle to move Barrow to second. After Chris Moore’s sacrifice bunt, Jeff Sziksai hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Barrow.

Clemson put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth with three runs. Boyd knocked in the first run with a sacrifice fly, his fifth of the season. Harris then had his second double of the game to score Chad Roper and Justin Singleton. Harris finished the game with three RBIs.