Clemson Baseball Falls to Liberty, 10-9

March 5, 1999

CLEMSON, S.C. – Liberty upset #19 Clemson 10-9 Friday afternoon at Tiger Field thanks to an eight-run eighth inning. It was the second consecutive game the Tigers blew a large lead. Liberty improved to 3-1, while Clemson fell to 5-5. The Tigers have lost their five games by a combined eight runs.

Flame reliever Alex Dooley (1-0) picked up the win in relief in his first career outing. Jason Suitt earned his first save of the season. Matt Additon (2-1) suffered the loss for the Tigers.

Starter Mike Paradis had the best outing by a Tiger this season, as he went 7.0 innings allowing just five hits, one earned run, and two walks while striking out a career-high 10 batters. The junior from Auburn, MA also struck out four batters in the second inning. All 11 of the outs made in the field while Paradis was on the mound were on ground balls.

Clemson put five runs on the board in the first inning. Patrick Boyd walked with the bases loaded and Henri Stanley followed with a bases clearing double to left center. Boyd played in his first game since having surgery for a torn labrum (had surgery on Feb. 15). He had missed the last six games. Bradley LeCroy drove in the fifth run of the inning with a single up the middle. But after the first inning, the Tigers managed only four more hits.

The Flames got on the board in the third inning when John Bona scored on Brian Ellis’ passed ball. Liberty threatened again in the fourth inning when Anthony Pennix led off with a line-drive single to right field and Scottie Scott followed with a double down the left field line. Paradis got the next two Flame batters out on strikes but could not get Jeff Haines, who lined an RBI single to right field.

Clemson added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Khalil Greene plated the first on a single up the middle and Stanley scored in the fifth on reliever Rich Harrell’s wild pitch. Greene, who was 3-for-5, is hitting .514 (18-for-35) over the last eight games. It was also the freshman’s fifth three-hit game in the last seven games.

The Flames would not go down without a fight as they rallied with eight runs on eight hits in the eighth inning off three Tiger relievers. Pennix drove in the first run with a single and Scott followed with an RBI double down the left field line. Scott, along with John Bona, led the Flames with three hits in five at bats. Jim Clinton and Jeff Haines added RBI singles, and Tim Strong and Alan Smith both walked with the bases loaded, with the latter tying the game. Marcus Maringola then put the Flames ahead with a two-run single up the middle off reliever Steve Reba.

The Tigers cut the lead to one run in the eighth inning. Jason Harris’ RBI groundout plated Ellis. But Jason Suitt struck out Patrick Boyd with Greene on third base to end the threat.

Clemson put runners on first and second with one out in the ninth inning. Pinch-hitter Derek Borgert hit a ground ball down the third base line that appeared to be headed for the outfield, but Bona made a diving stop and tagged third base to preserve the lead. Jason Suitt then got Brian Ellis to strike out looking to end the game.

Clemson will play host to Liberty in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 12:00 noon. Both games will be nine innings.

Liberty     0   0   1      1   0   0      0   8   0  -      10   14   1Clemson     5   0   0      1   1   0      1   1   0  -       9    8   0

Brey, R. Harrell (5), Dooley (6), Suitt (8) and Scott. Paradis, Lombardi (8), Additon (8), Reba (8) and Ellis. Win – Dooley (1-0). Loss – Additon (2-1). Save – Suitt (1). 2B – Scott 2 (3), Ellis (3), Stanley (4), Bultmann (7). Time: 3:27. Attendance: 1,378. Temp.: 55. Winds: 5-10 mph blowing in from centerfield.