Clemson Slams Georgia, Wins Fifth Straight With 19-4 Victory

March 31, 2004

Clemson, SC – Clemson had a season-high 19 hits in a decisive 19-4 victory over Georgia at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Wednesday night. The Tigers scored 17 runs through the first four innings. The win was the fifth straight for the Tigers and it improved Clemson’s overall record to 14-10. Georgia dropped to 16-10 with the loss.

Freshman Stephen Faris (1-2) earned his first collegiate victory after striking out four and allowing only one earned run in six innings. The six innings marked Faris’ career high. Bulldog starter Rip Warren (0-1) suffered the loss.

Lou Santangelo led the offensive onslaught for the Tigers. He was 2-3 with six RBIs, including his first career grand slam. Brad McCann continued with his hot bat, going 4-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. McCann is now 12-16 in four career games against Georgia. Herman Demmink and Kris Harvey also had three hits for Clemson, while Russell Triplett scored three runs.

The Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the first frame. Demmink led off with a single and was followed two batters later by McCann’s two-run homer to left center for a 2-0 lead. In the second inning, Ryan Hub tripled home Triplett and scored on a wild pitch. After Georgia went to the bullpen to bring in righthander Brooks Brown, McCann singled with two outs to score Harvey and push the advantage to 5-0.

Georgia got on the board in the third inning. Kyle Keen tripled to right field and scored when Clemson catcher Santangelo’s pick off attempt went into left field. The Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs but Faris got Joey Side to fly out to center to end the inning.

Clemson countered in the bottom of the inning with five runs, all scored with two outs. Demmink started the hard-hitting with a double to left center that cleared the bases and scored one pitch later on Harvey’s single to center. After a single by McCann, Santangelo drove in two runs with a triple down the right field line to cap the scoring and give the Tigers a 10-1 lead.

The Tigers put the game out of reach in the fourth, scoring seven runs on four hits. Demmink had an RBI single and Harvey recorded a two-RBI single. Then, with the bases loaded, Santangelo hit his first career grand slam. His blast to centerfield gave Clemson a 17-1 lead through four frames.

The Tigers scored two runs the rest of the way, while Georgia added three. For Clemson, Collin Mahoney and Brady Everett had RBIs in the sixth inning.

Clemson hosts ACC foe Maryland in a three-game series this weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch is set for 7:15 PM Friday.