Clemson Wins Exhibition Game Against Chukyo (Japan) 6-2 Thursday Afternoon

March 6, 2003

Clemson, SC- Clemson did not have a batter reach base until the fifth inning, but recovered to defeat Chukyo University of Japan 6-2 in an exhibition game Thursday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Since the game was an exhibition, neither records nor statistics will count.

Brad McCann led the Tigers with two hits, including a home run, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Roberto Valiente went 2-for-3 in the game with two runs scored as well.

Chukyo got two runs in the top of the third off of starter Adam Walker, who saw his first action as a Tiger. Tatsuya Imanishi tripled to right field to plate Eisei Ito. Chukyo finished off the scoring in the inning with an RBI single through the right side by Naritoshi Imai.

Clemson finally put a runner on base in the fifth inning when Roberto Valiente slapped a single through the right side. David Slevin followed with a triple to right center to score Valiente, cutting the Chukyo lead to 2-1.

Clemson took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth. Following a double down the left field line by Brad McCann hit a two-run homer to left field.

Clemson opened up the lead in the seventh after Roberto Valiente and Kyle Frank to the plate. Takuya Fukata, who pitched the first four innings without giving up a hit, gave up five hits and three earned runs over 7.0 innings of work.

Clemson extended the lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the eighth after Chukyo reliever Masahito Nakano sent Brad McCann to the plate on a balk.

The Tigers utilized three different pitchers in the contest. Adam Walker, a freshman righthander from Oak Ridge, TN, pitched the first three innings. Jeff Hourigan and Josh Cribb combined to close out the game with six scoreless innings.

The Tigers return to action Friday for the first of a three-game series against Old Dominion. The game will be played at Doug Kingsmore Stadium and first pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.