Clemson Defeats South Carolina 11-10 in 10 Innings

March 3, 2002

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson outfielder Kyle Frank raced home from first base to give second-ranked Clemson a 11-10 victory in 10 innings over fourth-ranked South Carolina. The Tigers (6-0) claimed both games against the fourth-ranked Gamecocks (9-2) during the two-game weekend set. Clemson posted a 9-7 victory in Columbia on Saturday evening.

The Tigers are now 5-0 this season against ranked opposition (3-0 vs. Auburn, 2-0 vs. South Carolina). Head Coach Jack Leggett, in his ninth season at Clemson, has recorded 97 wins at Clemson against teams ranked in the top-25.

Clemson began the 10th inning with a fly out to right field by Steve Pyzik and a ground out to short by Kyle Frank was hit by a Matt Campbell pitch on a 1-1 count. Khalil Greene then wrapped a 1-1 Campbell pitch to center field. South Carolina centerfielder Jon Coutlangus fumbled the sharply hit ball and was charged with an error. A relay throw by shortstop Drew Meyer beat Frank to the plate, but the junior outfielder avoided the tag by catcher Landon Powell.

Jarrod Schmidt, who started the contest in right field, picked up the win in relief for Clemson despite giving up the tying two runs in the ninth inning on a Powell two-run double with two strikes and two out. Schmidt, who hurled 51 pitches in the final two frames, raised his season record to 2-0.

South Carolina freshman Matt Campbell shouldered the loss for South Carolina and is now 0-1 on the season. Campbell, making just his third appearance of his career, struck out the side in the ninth inning with the bases loaded for the Tigers

Greene, a senior third baseman and junior first baseman Michael Johnson paced the Clemson offensive attack. Greene ended the contest 4-4 with three doubles and one runs batted in. The three doubles tied a Clemson record and it was the third time in his career Greene accomplished the feat. Johnson was 3-5 on the day with two two-run home runs, one double and four runs batted in.

Clemson returns to action on Wednesday when it plays host to College of Charleston. First pitch at Tiger Field is set for 3:00 PM.