Clemson Beats North Carolina 5-2 Monday Afternoon to Take the Series

May 12, 2003

Clemson, SC – Clemson scored four runs in the eighth inning to defeat North Carolina 5-2 and win the series Monday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Jeff Hahn (4-6) earned the victory for the Tigers, pitching 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of starter Steven Jackson. Jackson pitched a career-high 7.1 innings, allowing just one earned run and five hits. Clemson improved to 35-17 overall and 12-9 in the ACC. Tar Heel starter Garry Bakker suffered the loss, dropping his record to 6-3. North Carolina fell to 35-17 on the season and 12-9 in the ACC. With the win, Clemson moved into a tie for fourth place with the Tar Heels in the ACC standings.

The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Brad McCann led off the inning with a single to left field. Ryan Hub reached after being hit by Bakker to advance McCann to second. Garrick Evans drove in McCann with a single to left.

North Carolina tied the score in the sixth when Adam Weaver led off the inning with a double to left center. Weaver scored on Jackson’s errant throw to first on Blair Waggett’s bunt single.

The Tar Heels took a 2-1 lead in the seventh. Sean Farrell walked to lead off and advanced to second on Sammy Hewitt’s sacrifice bunt. Chris Ianetta plated Farrell with a single to left field.

Clemson scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-2 lead. With one out, Ryan Hub singled to left to plate two insurance runs. Hub was not penciled in the lineup until an hour before the game when it became apparent Michael Johnson could not go. Johnson sprained his ankle on Sunday. He is listed as day-to-day.

Hahn then worked out of a jam in the ninth. With two runners on and one out, Weaver hit a shallow fly ball to Hub in left field. Hub made the diving catch and doubled off Sammy Hewitt at second to end the game.

The Tigers will play their last regular season home game Tuesday night against the Furman Paladins. First pitch of the Tigers’ home regular-season finale is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.