N.C. State Beats Clemson 4-3 In Ninth Inning

May 5, 2001

RALEIGH, NC – Justin Riley scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on an infield single to give N.C. State a 4-3 victory in the second game of a day-night doubleheader at Doak Field. Clemson won the first game 7-6.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Brian Wright reached first base on a Baker’s second error of the game and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Sean Walsh singled to right field and that moved Wright to third base where he was held by Wolfpack coach Elliott Avent. Jamey Shearin was intentionally walked by Clemson and then Riley hit a dribbler between third base and the pitcher that Clemson reliever Kevin Lynn could not field cleanly and Wright scored the winning run.

Wright got the scoring started for N.C. State in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run. The shot over the right field fence was his 10th of the season.

Clemson tied the score 1-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Singles by Zane Green and Casey Stone sandwiched around an error that allowed Seth Miller to reach base led to the equalizing run when Kyle Frank grounded to Walsh who tagged Miller on his way to third. Green scored on the fielder’s choice.

After Jeremy Dutton walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning, home plate umpire Bob Gustin removed himself from the game after suffering from dizzy spells. First base umpire Danny Waller moved behind the plate and third base umpire Mark McGill took over at first base. ACC umpire Henry Stancil, who was in attendance at the game took over umpiring duties at third base in a delay that took 25 minutes.

When play resumed, Kevin Lynn took over pitching duties for Clemson starter Jarrod Schmidt. Wright doubled off of Lynn to score Dutton. Wright advanced to third on the throw from right field and was then plated on a sacrifice fly by Walsh. The go-ahead run was charged to Schmidt as the Wolfpack took a 3-1 lead.

Clemson got one run back in the top of the eighth on a chop single by Ryan Riley that scored Jeff Baker, who had reached on the first of three Tiger singles in the inning. N.C. State’s lead was cut to 3-2 until Clemson manufactured the tying run in the top of the ninth inning. Seth Miller reached on the Wolfpack’s fourth error of the game and then Clemson coach Russell Triplett to pinch run for Miller. Triplett advance to third on a sacrifice bunt by Casey Stone. Frank grounded out to second base and Triplett scored to even the score.

Josh Miller improved to 3-3 on the year with the victory as the Wolfpack even its season record at 26 wins and 26 losses. Lynn got the loss for Clemson as he dropped to 2-2 and the Tigers slipped to 32-18 overall. The Wolfpack is now 9-14 in the ACC while Clemson fell to 13-7.

Clemson and N.C. State will conclude the three-game ACC series Sunday with a 1:30 PM matinee.