Seventh-Ranked Clemson Edges Maryland 3-2 in 11 Innings Saturday

April 8, 2006

Clemson, SC- Travis Storrer hit a sacrifice fly that scored Tyler Colvin in the 11th inning as #7 Clemson defeated Maryland 3-2 in front of 5,617 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Saturday. The Tigers improved to 23-8, 8-3 in the ACC, and the Terrapins fell to 14-19, and 6-11 in the ACC. Combined with a 3-2 win over South Carolina on Wednesday and a 3-1 win over Maryland on Friday, Saturday’s game marked the first time since May 4-6, 1996 that Clemson won three consecutive games when scoring three runs or less. The Tigers swept Florida State in those three games by scores of 3-0, 2-1, and 2-0.

Brad Chalk, Taylor Harbin, Andy D’Alessio, and Stan Widmann each had two hits apiece for Clemson. Dan Mevlin was 3-for-5 for Maryland, and Gerry Spessard added two hits as well.

Daniel Moskos (3-4) struck out the only hitter he faced, and earned the win for the Tigers. Brett Cecil (4-3) allowed one run on one hit in 1.2 innings pitched to take the loss for the Terrapins.

Chalk singled through the left side with one out in the first, and moved to second on a bunt single to third base by Taylor Harbin. With two outs, D’Alessio ripped a single to right to score Chalk.

Maryland answered in the second. Chad Durakis singled to right on an 0-2 pitch to begin the inning, and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Steve Braun. Nick Jowers and Joe Palumbo walked to load the bases with two outs, and Durakis scored on a passed ball.

Chalk doubled off the fence in right with one out in the third, and moved to third on a wild pitch. Harbin followed with a soft single to center to score Chalk.

In the seventh, Wink Nolan singled with one out, and moved to second when Matt Maropis walked, ending the day for Clemson starter Jason Berken. Clemson brought in Alex Martin, and Spessard greeted him with a single through the right side, but Storrer fired home in time to retire Nolan at the plate.

Nick Jowers singled up the middle to begin the ninth, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by pinch-hitter Dan Benick. The Tigers called on Steve Richard, and Joe Palumbo hit the third pitch he saw past a diving D’Alessio for a single that brought home the tying run in Jowers.

Clemson went in order in the ninth and the game moved to extra innings.

Two walks and an infield single loaded the bases for the Terrapins in the 11th, and the Tigers brought in Daniel Moskos, who struck out Spessard to end the inning.

Colvin doubled to lead off the 11th, and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by D’Alessio. Pinch-hitter Ben Hall was intentionally walked, and Storrer hit a 1-2 pitch deep enough to left to allow Colvin to score the winning run on the sacrifice fly.

Clemson and Maryland will conclude their three-game series Sunday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium at 1:00 PM.