No. 6 Clemson Baseball Rallies To Beat Duke, 8-5

April 21, 2000

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – Clemson stormed back from a 5-4 deficit with four runs in the ninth to defeat Duke 8-5 Friday at Jack Coombs Field. The victory dropped Duke to 14-30 overall and 4-12 in the ACC while #6 Clemson improved to 33-10 overall and 9-4 in the ACC. The game marked the first of the three-game weekend series.

Down 5-4 in the top of the ninth, Clemson rallied to score four runs to put the game out of reach. Ryan Riley led off the ninth with a single and advanced to second on Brian Holstad’s sacrifice bunt. After Casey Stone flied out, Brian Ellis’ looped a double down the left field line to score Riley to tie the game at 5-5. Khalil Greene’s single to right field scored Ellis. Jeff Baker followed with a two-run home run to left field to make the score 8-5.

Clemson reliever Matt Additon (4-1) shut down the Blue Devils in the ninth inning. Addition earned the victory after pitching 1.2 innings and striking out two batters.

Duke grabbed a 3-0 lead after Troy Caradonna’s two-RBI single in the first inning and Jeff Becker’s solo home run in the third.

Clemson rallied with four runs to go up 4-3 in the seventh on pinch hitter Mike Calitri’s two-run home run, Jarrod Schmidt’s RBI single to centerfield.

Duke reliever Ryan Caradonna (5-7) took the loss after throwing 0.2 innings and allowing three runs and three hits. Duke starter Patrick Hannaway turned in a sterling 6.0 inning performance. He allowed only four hits and one run and struck out two.

Duke was led at the plate by Troy Caradonna’s 3-4, two RBI performance. Jeff Becker went 2-4 with three runs scored and an RBI and Larry Broadway went 2-4.

Clemson was led by Brian Ellis’ 2-5, RBI, run performance. Jeff Baker finished 2-5 with two RBI, Khalil Greene went 1-4 with an RBI and Mike Calitri went 1-2 with two RBI.

Game two is Saturday at 1 p.m. while Sunday’s game begins at 1 p.m. at Jack Coombs Field.

Clemson 8 Duke 5

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