Clemson Baseball Travels to Maryland for First Road ACC Series This Weekend

March 22, 2007

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Clemson vs. Maryland Clemson (14-5, 3-0 ACC), ranked as high as #6 in the nation, will travel to College Park, MD for its first ACC road series of the season to take on Maryland (14-7, 3-3 ACC) this weekend in a three-game series at Shipley Field. Game times are 7:00 PM (Friday), 1:00 PM (Saturday), and 1:00 PM (Sunday). All three games will be broadcast live on the radio by Clemson Tiger Sports Network. Live stats will also be available at ClemsonTigers.com for all three games.

The Series Clemson and Maryland have met 141 times on the diamond, with the Tigers holding a 106-35 lead in the series dating back to the 1923 season. Last year at Clemson, the Tigers won all three games by scores of 3-1, 3-2 (11 innings), and 15-7. Two years ago, Clemson also swept the Terrapins at Shipley Field by scores of 14-3, 6-4 (13 innings), and 12-0. Clemson has won 10 games in a row over the Terrapins dating back to an 8-4 Maryland victory in the second game of a doubleheader in College Park on April 19, 2003.

The Tigers hold a 34-25 advantage all-time in games played at Maryland. Clemson also holds a 93-32 advantage over the Terrapins in games played during the ACC regular season. Tiger Head Coach Jack Leggett is 37-4 against the Terrapins as Clemson’s head coach, including a 13-4 mark at Shipley Field.

The Starting Pitchers In game-one, Maryland will start senior lefty Casey Baron (3-1, 4.41 ERA) on the mound. The Silver Spring, MD native has made six starts for a total of 34.2 innings pitched. He has allowed 44 hits (.314 opponents’ batting average) and six walks with 18 strikeouts.

The Tigers will counter with junior righthander P.J. Zocchi (3-0, 2.00 ERA) on Friday. The Bronx, NY native has made five starts for a total of 27.0 innings pitched. He has yielded 22 hits (.224 opponents’ batting average) and seven walks with 24 strikeouts.

In game-two, the Terrapins will send out junior righthander Ryan Moorer (2-0, 2.78 ERA) on the mound. The Peabody, MA native has made six starts for a total of 32.1 innings pitched. He has yielded 31 hits (.265 opponents’ batting average) and 10 walks with 22 strikeouts.

The Tigers will counter with sophomore lefty Ryan Hinson (1-0, 2.00 ERA) on Saturday. The Rock Hill, SC native has made five starts for a total of 27.0 innings pitched. He has allowed 27 hits (.262 opponents’ batting average) and seven walks with 21 strikeouts.

In game-three, Maryland will start junior righty Kevin Biringer (2-3, 4.68 ERA) on the mound. The Albuquerque, NM native has made five starts and one relief appearance for a total of 25.0 innings pitched. He has allowed 22 hits (.239 opponents’ batting average) and five walks with 23 strikeouts.

Clemson will counter with junior righthander David Kopp (2-2, 4.40 ERA) on Sunday. The Margate, FL native has made six starts for a total of 30.2 innings pitched. He has allowed 30 hits (.254 opponents’ batting average) and 11 walks with 24 strikeouts.

The Terrapins Maryland, led by seventh-year Head Coach Terry Rupp, enters the series with a 14-7 overall record and 3-3 ACC mark after defeating Virginia Commmonwealth 17-2 on Wednesday. Last weekend, the Terrapins won one of three games at Miami (FL). Maryland, who has yet to play a home ACC series, is 7-2 at home this season.

The Terrapins are hitting .290 as a team with a .355 on-base percentage. They have totaled 45 doubles and 15 homers, and have stolen 26 bases in 37 attempts.

A.J. Casario leads the team with a .392 batting average and 20 RBIs. Will Greenberg is hitting .326, while Mike Murphy has a .315 batting average, three homers, and 16 RBIs.

The Terrapin pitching staff has a 4.49 ERA and .269 opponents’ batting average. It has also struck out 141 against only 61 walks and totaled just seven wild pitches. Junior lefthander Brett Cecil has a team-high six saves and 2.33 ERA in 13 relief appearances. The team is fielding at an outstanding .973 clip as well.

The Tigers Clemson enters its first ACC road series against Maryland with a 14-5 overall record and 3-0 ACC mark after sweeping Duke, but falling at Western Carolina by a score of 6-3 on Tuesday. The Tigers have won six of their last seven games and are 0-2 on the road this season. Clemson also brings a #6 national ranking into the series.

The team is hitting .284 with a .367 on-base percentage. Brad Chalk is hitting a team-best .441 with a .547 on-base percentage. He has also reached base via a hit or walk in 46 straight games dating back to 2006. Doug Hogan is hitting .397 with four homers and nine RBIs, while Marquez Smith is batting .316 with four homers and a team-best 17 RBIs.

The pitching staff has a 3.08 ERA and .229 opponents’ batting average. It has combined to strike out 157 against 55 walks. Daniel Moskos has a team-high five saves, while Stephen Clyne has an 0.49 ERA and .167 opponents’ batting average in nine relief appearances. The team is fielding at a .970 clip as well.

Western Carolina Tops Clemson 6-3 Western Carolina scored five runs in the sixth inning to defeat #6 Clemson 6-3 at Hennon Stadium on March 20. Stephen Clyne consecutive-scoreless-inning streak also came to an end at 31.1 innings, just shy of the school record of 32.2.