Georgia Rallies, Holds On To Defeat Clemson 6-4 Wednesday

April 2, 2008

Clemson, SC –

After scoring four runs on four hits through six innings, Georgia scored two runs in the seventh inning and held on to defeat Clemson 6-4 Wednesday in front of 5,973 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Bulldogs improved to 17-10 and the Tigers dropped to 18-10, as Georgia won both games of the midweek, home-and-home series.

The Tigers, who tallied just five hits, were led offensively by Ben Paulsen, who went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer. Matt Sanders also had two RBIs for Clemson. Rich Poythress and Adam Fuller each hit two-run home runs for Georgia. Bryce Massanari and Lyle Allen each hit RBI singles in the seventh inning to highlight the Bulldog rally.

Steve Esmonde (1-0) earned the win, as he pitched 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit while striking out two. Joshua Fields pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts to earn his seventh save of the season. Tiger reliever Casey Harman (0-3) suffered the loss, as he allowed two runs on five hits while striking out two and walking two in 2.2 innings pitched.

The Bulldogs got on the scoreboard in the first when Poythress hit a two-out, two-run homer to left. It was his seventh long ball of the season.

Clemson evened the score at 2-2 with a pair of runs in the second. With two outs, Wilson Boyd drew a walk and moved to second on John Hinson’s infield single. Both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Sanders then drove home both runners with a single to right-center.

The Tigers took their first lead of the contest in the third. Doug Hogan singled through the left side and Paulsen hit a one-out, two-run blast to right-center to put Clemson up 4-2. It was his eighth home run of the year.

Georgia tied the contest in the fifth inning, as Fuller hit his first long ball of the year, a two-run shot to left.

The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead in the seventh inning, as they rallied for two runs. Matt Olson hit a one-out, bloop single to left and Gordon Beckham followed with a walk. Two batters later, Massanari plated Olson with a two-out single to left. Allen followed with another bloop single to center that scored Beckham.

The Tigers will return to conference action when they play a three-game series at Miami (FL) this weekend. Friday’s first pitch is slated for 7:00 PM.