Elon Shuts Down Clemson 7-1 Wednesday

March 24, 2004

Clemson, SC –

Clemson native Brian Hensen pitched a complete game, allowing just six singles to lead Elon over Clemson 7-1 Wednesday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Elon improved to 11-14, while the Tigers fell to 9-10.

Hensen (2-0), a senior lefthander and graduate of nearby Daniel High School, held the Tigers in check with an array of offspeed pitches and good location, as he did not allow a leadoff batter in an inning to reach base. Hensen, who threw 123 pitches, also struck out two, walked two, and stranded eight Tiger baserunners in his first complete game of the season. Hensen’s performance follows another outstanding performance against Clemson, as he shut down the Tigers in an 11-2 win at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in 2003. In 16.0 career innings pitched against Clemson, he allowed just one earned run. Tiger starter Stephen Faris (0-2) suffered the loss in his first career start.

Clemson jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a single to left field by Lou Santangelo, scoring Garrick Evans from second base.

After three scoreless innings by each team, Elon broke through with five runs in the fourth inning. Gary Morris, Drew Davis, and Chris Price led off the frame with three straight singles, the last of which plated a run. After Tyler Stevens singled home the second run, Evan Erickson brought home two more runs on a double down the left-field line. The Phoenix added to their lead when Matt Stocco drove home a run on a fielder’s choice.

Elon came right back in the fifth inning and added two more runs to take a 7-1 lead. Morris was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and scored on Davis’ double down the left-field line. Three batters later, Stevens singled home Davis.

Davis led the Phoenix with three hits, while Morris and Stevens each had two hits. Santangelo led the Tigers with two hits and an RBI.

Clemson will play host to Wake Forest this weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the Tigers’ first ACC action of 2004. First pitch Friday is 7:15 PM.