Nevada Hands Clemson its Third Straight Loss

February 27, 1999

LAS VEGAS – Clemson suffered its third straight defeat in the UNLV/Coors Desert Classic as Nevada downed Clemson 7-5 Saturday. The Tigers fell to 4-3 while Nevada improved to 10-5. Joe Inglett had his 32-game hitting come to an end, as he was 0-for-1 with three hit by pitches.

Reliever George Moran (1-0) pitched 3.1 innings to earn the win. Tiger starter Thomas Boozer allowed seven runs, falling to 1-1. Tiger pitchers struck out 12 batters in eight innings of work.

The Tigers, who played their third game in less than 24 hours, got on the board in the top of the first inning. Brian Ellis walked, Khalil Greene singled to left, and Kurt Bultmann walked. After Jason Harris struck out, Derek Borgert singled to left, driving home Ellis from third. But the Tigers could not plate any more runners. Justin Singleton struck out and Bradley LeCroy fouled out to end the threat.

In the second inning, Greene hit a deep drive off the wall in right center. The ball caromed hard off the wall towards the centerfielder’s original position. Greene was waved from third and scored when the relay throw was high. It was Greene’s first career home run as a Tiger. It was Greene’s third three-hit game of the tourney. The freshman from Key West, FL is 10-for-20 (.500) through four games.

Nevada responded with three runs in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Lyle Overbay singled home Matt Maguire and Matt Ortiz followed with a two-run, opposite-field double down the right field line.

The Tigers took the lead 4-3 in the fourth inning. Bradley LeCroy scored when left fielder Ricky Wiens throw, after Henri Stanley’s single, to third base was wild. Stanley later scored on Ellis’ single up the middle.

The Wolf Pack took the lead right back in the bottom of the fifth. Ortiz drove in two more runs with a bases loaded single up the middle. Jarell McIntyre drove in two more runs on a bases loaded single to centerfield off reliever Matt Additon to put the Wolf Pack ahead 7-4.

Clemson rallied in the seventh inning. Jason Harris drove home Greene on a single to right. But the rally was thwarted when pinch-hitter Casey Stone lined into a double play.

Ellis gave the Tigers hope in the ninth inning with a triple to right-center. But reliever Luke Drakulich struck out Greene and Bultmann looking to end the game.

Clemson will conclude the 1999 UNLV/Coors Desert Classic against Creighton, who defeated the Tigers on Friday by a 4-3 score. The two will match up on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 8:00 EST.

Clemson     1   0   1      2   0   0      1   0   0  -      5  11   1Nevada      0   0   3      0   4   0      0   0       -     7   7   1

Boozer, Proto (5), Additon (5) and Ellis. Norris, Moran (4), Drakulich (7) and Ortiz. Win – Moran (1-0). Loss – Boozer (1-1). Save – Drakulich (2). 2B – LeCroy (2), Ortiz (5). 3B – Ellis (1). HR – Greene (1). Time: 2:45. Attendance: 402.