Shaffer’s Two-Run Double in Seventh Lifts Tigers Over #7 Miami (FL) 3-1 Saturday

March 31, 2012

Clemson, SC –

Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers, who took a 2-0 series lead, improved to 14-12 overall and 5-6 in the ACC. The Hurricanes fell to 20-7 overall and 7-4 in ACC play.

Both starting pitchers (Leone and Miami’s Eric Whaley) had solid outings in the low-scoring affair. But with runners on first and second with two outs in the seventh inning, Shaffer laced a double down the left-field line to score two runs, giving Clemson a 3-1 lead. Patrick Andrews then pitched 2.0 scoreless innings to close out the game. The Tigers were also aided by two pickoffs of runners at third base by catcher Spencer Kieboom and three double plays.

Leone (4-2) allowed just six hits, one run, and three walks with six strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched to earn the win. Andrews recorded his first career save by tossing 2.0 scoreless innings of one-hit ball with one strikeout.

Whaley (3-2) suffered the loss, as he gave up eight hits, three runs (two earned), and two walks with three strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.

The Tigers grabbed the game’s first lead in the second inning. Kieboom laced a one-out single through the left side and advanced to second when Dominic Attanasio reached on a fielding error by second-baseman Michael Broad. Two batters later, Tyler Slaton blooped a two-out double to shallow left-center to score Kieboom.

The Hurricanes responded with a run in the fourth inning to tie the score. Stephen Perez led off with a walk and stole second. Two batters later, Brad Fieger flared a single to left to move Perez to third. On the throw home, Fieger advanced to second base and Perez then scored on the throw to second.

Clemson regained the lead in the seventh inning thanks to a clutch two-out hit. Jason Stolz led off with an infield single, but he was retired on Slaton’s bunt back to the mound. Steve Wilkerson reached on a bunt single. Two batters later with two outs, Shaffer ripped a double down the left-field line to score Slaton and Wilkerson.

Wilkerson, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games, led the Tigers’ eight-hit performance by going 2-for-4 with a run, while Shaffer had a game-high two RBIs.

Dale Carey, Fieger, and Rony Rodriguez all had two hits apiece for the Hurricanes, who totaled seven hits in the contest.

Clemson and Miami will play game-three of the three-game series on Sunday at 12:00 PM. The game will be available live via webcast at ESPN3.