CLEMSON BASEBALL WEEKLY WRAPUP

March 13, 2011

Clemson University Overall Season Record: 7-6 ACC Regular-Season Record: 0-3

Last Week: 0-4 Tue. L, Neutral* vs. #4 South Carolina, 5-4 Fri. L, Home vs. #6 Virginia, 5-0 Sat. L, Home vs. #6 Virginia, 8-7 Sun. L, Home vs. #6 Virginia, 7-6 * – Greenville, SC (Fluor Field)

Next Week Wed. Neutral* vs. Presbyterian College, 7:00 PM Fri. Home vs. Duke, 6:30 PM Sat. Home vs. Duke, 6:30 PM Sun. Home vs. Duke, 1:00 PM * – Greenville, SC (Fluor Field)

Last Week’s Game Notes Clemson, ranked as high as #4 in the nation, went 0-4 this past week, which included three one-run losses. All four games were against teams in the top six in the nation (#4 South Carolina, #6 Virginia).

In the third and final game against South Carolina at Fluor Field in Greenville on March 8, pinch-hitter Jake Williams hit a three-run homer in the seventh inning to break a 1-1 tie and lift the Gamecocks to a 5-4 win over Clemson. Richie Shaffer’s solo homer in the fourth inning gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead. But the Gamecocks scored four runs in the seventh and another run in the eighth to build a 5-1 lead. Clemson rallied with three runs in the ninth inning and had the potential tying run at third base before Matt Price struck out the Tigers’ last hope to earn the save. Clemson outhit South Carolina 9-8, but the Gamecocks turned three crucial double plays, including one in the ninth inning. Starter David Haselden pitched 6.0 scoreless innings of three-hit ball with five strikeouts.

The Cavaliers then swept Clemson by a combined score of 20-13 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium from March 11-13. The Tigers suffered their first three-game sweep at home since 2008. Virginia outhit the Tigers .308 to .223 and stole six bases. Will Lamb went 5-for-11, while Jeff Schaus went 5-for-12 with two doubles and four RBIs in the series. The Tiger pitching staff had a 4.67 ERA, while the Virginia pitching staff had a 2.67 ERA with 42 strikeouts.

In game-one on March 11, Danny Hultzen and Justin Thompson combined for 18 strikeouts in Virginia’s 5-0 win over Clemson. Hultzen struck out 14 batters in 6.2 innings pitched to earn the victory. He also went 1-for-2 at the plate with a game-high two RBIs. The Tigers were held to just five hits, all of which came in the first three innings. The Tigers did have several scoring opportunities, but they stranded 10 runners on base. Schaus had a game-high two hits to lead the Tigers. The Cavaliers ended Clemson’s 147-game streak of scoring at least one run.

In game-two on March 12, Virginia scored three runs in the eighth inning and one run in the ninth inning to rally for an 8-7 win over Clemson. Virginia built a 4-1 lead, but Shaffer’s two-run homer in the sixth inning and the Tigers’ four runs in the seventh inning gave Clemson a 7-4 lead. But three costly Tiger errors in the eighth inning led to three unearned runs to tie the score. Then John Hicks’ two-out, run-scoring single in the ninth inning proved to be the difference. Brad Miller had a game-high three hits, while Schaus went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.

In game-three on March 13, Steven Proscia went 4-for-5 with a homer, double, and three RBIs to lead Virginia to a 7-6 win over Clemson. The Tigers rallied from a 3-0 deficit to take the lead with four runs in the second inning. But Proscia’s two-run homer in the third inning gave the Cavaliers the lead for good. Clemson had several scoring chances thanks in part to four Virginia errors, but fell one run short. The Tigers stranded 10 runners on base, including seven in scoring position. Lamb had a team-high three hits, while Schaus added a double and two RBIs. Jonathan Meyer pitched 5.0 scoreless innings in relief of three-hit ball as well.

On the week, the Tigers hit .237 with a .316 on-base percentage. Lamb went 7-for-15 (.467) with two RBIs, while Brad Miller went 5-for-12 (.417). The pitching staff had a 4.89 ERA and .301 opponents’ batting average.

2011 Season Notes Clemson has a 7-6 overall record and 0-3 ACC mark on the season. Despite Clemson’s rough week, the Tigers still sit at #3 in the unofficial RPI according to WarrenNolan.com. The reason for the high RPI is Clemson’s strength of schedule, which is #1 in the country. Every team the Tigers have played currently owns a winning overall record.

The Tigers, who have cumulatively outscored their opponents in each of the nine innings this season, have been hindered by their performance in close games. Clemson is 0-4 in one-run games and 0-5 in games decided by three runs or less in 2011. In Clemson’s seven wins, it has outscored its opponents 76-15 (+61), or an average of 8.7 runs per win. In its six losses, it has been outscored just 38-26 (-12), or an average of 2.0 runs per loss. It has been a trend the Tigers have been unable to shake during the last 364 days. Since Clemson’s 7-6 win over N.C. State on March 14, 2010, the Tigers are 2-15 in one-run games, a remarkable stat considering Clemson’s postseason run in 2010.

The Tigers are hitting .315 with a .429 slugging percentage and .427 on-base percentage thanks to 80 walks and 14 hit-by-pitches on the season. The team has also totaled 22 stolen bases and is fielding at a .967 clip.

Spencer Kieboom leads the team with a .425 batting average and .519 on-base percentage. He is also tied for the team lead with 12 RBIs. Miller is hitting .385 with 15 walks and a .545 on-base percentage. Schaus has come on of late and is up to .267 with four doubles and a team-tying-high 12 RBIs. Shaffer has a team-high three home runs as well.

The pitching staff has a 3.52 ERA and .236 opponents’ batting average in 115.0 innings pitched this season. It has allowed 101 hits and 29 walks with 85 strikeouts, good for a 2.93 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Kevin Brady leads the staff with a 2-0 record, 1.10 ERA, .155 opponents’ batting average, and 23 walks against one walk in 16.1 innings pitched over three starts. Haselden is 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 19.1 innings pitched over six appearances (three starts).

Two prominent Tigers are sidelined with injuries. Brady, who did not pitch against Virginia, suffered a forearm injury on March 6 and is slated to be out of action until at least late March. Miller, the starting shortstop and a preseason All-American, suffered a broken finger on March 11. The injury will require at least two weeks to heal.

Clemson will return to action on Wednesday night when it faces Presbyterian College at Fluor Field in Greenville, SC. Then over the weekend, the Tigers will host Duke for a three-game series.