Clemson Baseball Weekly Wrapup

March 1, 2009

Clemson University Overall Season Record: 4-1 ACC Regular-Season Record: 0-0

Last Week: 1-1 Wed. W, Home vs. Wofford, 8-2 Sat. L, Home vs. South Carolina, 3-1

Next Week Wed. Home vs. UNC Asheville, 4:00 PM Fri. Away vs. North Carolina, 3:00 PM Sat. Away vs. North Carolina, 2:00 PM Sun. Away vs. North Carolina, 1:00 PM

Notes Clemson, ranked #19 in the nation, went 1-1 in two games (both at home) this past week. The Tigers downed Wofford 8-2 on Wednesday, then fell 3-1 against South Carolina on Saturday. The Tigers and Gamecocks were scheduled to play in Columbia on Sunday, but the game was rained out.

Clemson scored seven runs in its final three at-bats to down Wofford 8-2 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on February 25. Jeff Schaus’ two-run double in the sixth inning gave the Tigers the lead for good. Clemson added three insurance runs in the eighth inning on home runs by John Nester and Ben Paulsen went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Mike Freeman had four of Clemson’s eight walks. Casey Harman picked up the win by pitching 1.1 hitless and scoreless innings in relief, while six Tiger pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts against only two walks.

DeAngelo Mack’s solo homer in the ninth inning gave South Carolina the lead and the Gamecocks held on for a 3-1 win over #19 Clemson at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on February 28. Sanders’ solo homer in the sixth inning tied the score. Then with one out in the ninth inning, Mack’s opposite-field long ball and a Gamecock insurance run later in the frame proved to be the difference. Three Gamecock hurlers limited the Tigers to just two hits and did not allow a Clemson leadoff batter to reach base. Alex Farotto pitched 2.2 hitless and scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Harman pitched 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit, no runs, and no walks with six strikeouts. Four Tiger pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts as well.

During the week, the Tigers hit .196 with a .411 slugging percentage and .352 on-base percentage along with nine runs, three doubles, three homers, 13 walks, and three stolen bases. The pitching staff had a 2.50 ERA and .257 opponents’ batting average, while Clemson fielded at a .972 clip.

Ben Paulsen went 3-for-8 (.375) with a double and two RBIs in the two games, while Addison Johnson totaled two hits and three stolen bases. In just five at-bats, Sanders slugged two home runs as well.

In 4.2 innings pitched over two relief appearances, Harman had a 1-0 record and allowed only one hit, no runs, and one walk with eight strikeouts.

The Tigers record stands at 4-1 through five games. The team is hitting .240 with a .370 slugging percentage and .357 on-base percentage. Clemson has also stolen 15 bases in 18 attempts. The team is fielding at a .983 clip as well.

Paulsen leads the squad with a .389 batting average, one homer, four RBIs, and a .476 on-base percentage. Wilson Boyd and Brad Miller are both hitting .313, while Johnson is batting .300 with a team-high seven steals.

The pitching staff has a 2.54 ERA and .238 opponents’ batting average this season. The pitchers have combined for 53 strikeouts against eight walks (6.6-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio), including 28 strikeouts against only two walks by Tiger relievers.

Harman has a 1-0 record, 1.42 ERA, and 11 strikeouts against only one walk in 6.1 innings pitched over three relief appearances. He has also allowed just two hits, good for an .095 opponents’ batting average. Senior lefthander Ryan Hinson has become Clemson’s stopper out of the bullpen, as he has made four relief appearances. In 4.0 innings pitched, he has allowed two hits (.154 opponents’ batting average), no runs, and no walks with six strikeouts.

The Tigers are scheduled to play four games this upcoming week. On Wednesday, the Tigers will host UNC Asheville at 4:00 PM. Clemson will then open ACC play at North Carolina in a three-game series starting Friday at 3:00 PM.