Hogan’s Bat Stays Hot in Clemson’s 14-2 Win Over Furman Thursday

March 20, 2008

Clemson, SC –

Senior catcher Doug Hogan hit two homers, including a grand slam, and drove in six runs to lead Clemson to a 14-2 win over Furman in front of 3,891 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Thursday. Clemson improved to 12-6, while the Paladins fell to 10-6.

Starter Craig Gullickson (2-0) struck out eight and allowed just four hits in 6.0 scoreless innings pitched to earn the victory. Furman starter Justin Holloway (1-2) allowed three runs on five hits in 2.2 innings pitched to take the loss.

Clemson’s offense provided its pitching staff with plenty of run support with 14 runs and 15 hits. Nine Tigers collected at least one hit in the game, including Hogan, who led the Tigers with two homers, including a grand slam, and six RBIs. It was the second straight game Hogan hit two homers, as he hit two long balls against #21 Coastal Carolina on March 18. In Hogan’s last two games, he has totaled four homers and 11 RBIs.

Aaron Thompkins led the Paladins with two hits and one RBI.

Clemson scored its first three runs in the third. Alex Lee led off with a single to right and Stan Widmann reached on a bunt single to third. Wilson Boyd put both runners in scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Ben Paulsen drew a walk to load the bases. Jeff Schaus then drove home Lee and Widmann with a single through the right side. Kyle Parker followed with an RBI single to left.

In the fourth inning, John Hinson drew a leadoff walk. Lee also walked and Widmann was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Boyd then drew a walk that brought home Hinson. Hogan then belted a grand slam down the left-field line. His sixth home run of the year put the Tigers on top 8-0.

Hogan highlighted the fifth inning with his second homer of the game, a two-run shot to left, his seventh of the season.

Hinson and Lee led the off the seventh with back-to-back singles to left and each moved up a base on pinch-hitter Matt Sanders’ flyout in foul territory. Boyd then plated Hinson and reached on a fielding error by second-baseman Marcus Rose. With two outs, Paulsen singled up the middle to score Lee.

Furman got on the scoreboard in the eighth inning, as Thompkins, who came in to pinch-hit for Campbell Lewis, led off with a double to deep right-center, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored on another passed ball.

Lee highlighted a two-run eighth inning for the Tigers with an RBI single.

In the top of the ninth, Thompkins drove in the last run of the game with a double to left.

The Tigers will return to action on Friday at 6:00 PM when they play host to N.C. State at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.