Clemson Hits Way to 7-4 Win Over Furman

Feb. 28, 2001

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson had 15 hits, including five for extra bases, as the Tigers handed Furman a 7-4 loss at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

The Tigers scored in each of the first three innings to build a 6-0 lead over the Paladins. Jeff Baker, who played third base on Wednesday, had a base hit in the bottom of the first inning to score Casey Stone, who received a free pass with a walk two batters earlier. Clemson then added three runs in the second inning thanks to a two-run homer by designated hitter Casey Stone.

In the third inning Baker doubled to start the inning and was batted in by Kyle Frank who also doubled two batters later. First baseman Jarrod Schmidt single to knock in Frank.

Stone and Schmidt each finished the day 3 for 4 and one run scored. Johnson was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Five Tiger batters had multiple hits as Clemson won its 27th game in a row against Furman in a series that dates back to 1896 when the two teams met in Clemson’s first-ever baseball game.

Furman scored two runs in each of the fourth and sixth innings. Shortstop Danny Rueckel was 2 for 3 with one RBI and second baseman Adam Etherington was 1 for 4 with two RBIs.

Clemson received a great effort from freshman right-handed pitcher Steven Jackson, who went 6.0 innings allowing just four runs, two of which were earned. He also had seven strikeouts in picking up his first career win at Clemson. He was relieved by Matt Henrie and Josh Cram, who picked up the save.

The Tigers improved to 6-3 on the year while Furman dropped to 10-4.

Clemson will play two games this weekend against South Carolina. The Tigers will host the Gamecocks at 3:00 PM on Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in a game that is already sold out. The two teams will meet again on Sunday at 1:30 PM at Sarge Frye Field in Columbia.

The Clemson Tiger Network will carry Saturday’s game while the Sunday game can be heard on WGOG-FM (96.3) in Walhalla.