South Carolina Downs #19 Clemson 3-1 Saturday

Feb. 28, 2009

Clemson, South Carolina – After the start of the game was delayed almost two hours due to inclement weather, South Carolina scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to defeat #19 Clemson 3-1 in front of 4,917 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday. The Gamecocks improved to 4-0, while the Tigers fell to 4-1. It was the first of four regular-season meetings between the two rivals.

South Carolina reliever Alex Farotto (1-0) pitched 2.2 innings of no-hit ball to earn the win. Clemson reliever Graham Stoneburner (0-1) took the loss for the Tigers, as he pitched 1.0 inning and gave up two runs on three hits.

In the top of the first inning, Whit Merrifield hit a one-out triple and Jeffery Jones drove him in with a double to left field to give South Carolina a 1-0 lead.

Matt Sanders put the Tigers on the board with a solo home run, his second of the year, in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the score 1-1.

Gamecock reliever Nolan Belcher came in during the bottom of the seventh and walked three consecutive batters. After Farotto entered the game to relieve Belcher, John Nester grounded into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play and kept the score tied.

DeAngelo Mack put South Carolina back in the lead with a solo home run, his third of the season, in the top of the ninth inning. Andrew Crisp then singled up the middle and Justin Dalles followed with a single to left-center. After a pitching change, Bobby Haney singled up the middle to score Crisp and give the Gamecocks a 3-1 advantage.

Kyle Parker walked with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, bringing the potential tying run to the plate. But Farotto retired the next two Tigers to close out the game.

Gamecock starter Sam Dyson pitched 6.1 strong innings, but he did not factor in the decision. He allowed one run on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

Clemson reliever Casey Harman pitched 3.1 scoreless innings and had a career high six strikeouts. He also allowed just one hit and no walks.

South Carolina was led at the plate by Parker Bangs and Dalles with two hits apiece. Clemson was led by Sanders and Boyd, who had the only two hits for the Tigers.

Clemson will travel to Columbia to play South Carolina at Carolina Stadium on Sunday at 1:30 PM.