Texas Tech Outlasts Clemson 13-10 Saturday

March 20, 2004

Lubbock, TX –

Texas Tech scored six runs in the eighth inning in response to Clemson’s eight-run eighth inning to defeat the Tigers 13-10 Saturday afternoon at Dan Law Field. Clemson (8-8) outhit the Red Raiders 18-13 and scored all 10 of its runs in the last three innings. Texas Tech (14-7) evened the series 1-1 with the victory.

Reliver Barrett Pliler (1-1) earned the win despite allowing a run on two hits in 0.1 innings of work. Steve Gooch earned his first save as well. Starter Dallas Braden pitched 7.0 effective innings, allowing just one run, eight hits, and no walks while striking out six. Reliever Collin Mahoney (0-2) suffered the loss. Both teams used six pitchers in the contest.

After Clemson squandered opportunities to get on the board in the third and fourth innings, Texas Tech got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ryan Andrews drew a two-out walk and came all the way around to score on Matthew Coco’s double just over the head of Garrick Evans in right-center. On the ensuing play, Tony Sipp wheeled and picked off an unsuspecting Coco at second, but the home plate umpire had called “time.” Then, Madison Edwards followed with a single up the middle to plate Coco. The Red Raiders threatened to plate more runs, but left-fielder Ryan Hub made a “shoe-string” catch in the gap to end the inning.

The Red Raiders added to their lead in the sixth inning. Edwards led off with his third hit of the game and advanced to third two batters later on a perfectly executed hit-and-run and slow-rolling single through the right side by Cameron Blair. After a walk loaded the bases, Michael Mask cleared the bases with a three-run triple to left-center. Josh Brady followed with a bloop single to left on an 0-2 pitch to give the Red Raiders a 6-0 lead.

Kris Harvey finally got the Tigers on the board in seventh inning when he hit his first homer of the year off the left-field foul pole.

Texas Tech responded with another run in the bottom of the seventh to take a 7-1 lead. Andrews led off with a double down the left-field line and pinch-runner Cody Fuller later scored on a sacrifice pop-up to short right-center.

The Tigers finally came through with runners in scoring position and made a tremendous comeback in the eighth inning, scoring eight runs on eight hits to take a 9-7 lead. Evans led off with a single to right-center and Travis Storrer reached on a fielder’s choice. Brad McCann followed with a single to third base, his third hit of the game. Lou Santangelo then hit a looping single just over the shortstop’s glove to plate Storrer, and John Ingram singled through the left side to score McCann. After Russell Triplett was hit by a pitch, pinch-hitter Herman Demmink hit a two-run single passed Brady at first base. Harvey brought the Tigers to within one run with a sacrifice fly, then Demmink stole second base. Andy D’Alessio followed with the game-tying single to right-center, and pinch-runner C.J. Gaddis scored from first on a double to right by Evans, his second hit of the inning. Clemson added to its lead when Storrer singled, scoring Evans. The hit extended Storrer’s hitting streak to 12 games.

But Clemson was unable to hold the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Blair led off with a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on an opposite-field double by Jose Delgado. Delgado advanced to third when Mask hit a high pop-up in short right field that fell due to miscommunication by the Tiger defense. After Brady fouled out, Josh Haney hit a three-run, opposite-field home run to right field to give Texas Tech the lead for good. Edwards continued his perfect day with a two-run homer three batters later to give the Red Raiders a 13-9 lead.

It looked like the Tigers would mount another comeback in the ninth inning. Santangelo led off with an opposite-field homer to right, his fifth long ball of the year. Then Ingram doubled down the right-field line and Triplett walked, bringing the tying run to the plate. But Demmink grounded into a double play and Harvey grounded out to end the game. Clemson grounded into three costly double plays in the game.

Six Tigers had at least two hits, including McCann, Santangelo, Ingram, and D’Alessio, all with three hits apiece. Edwards paced Texas Tech with a 4-for-4 performance. He also had four RBIs and two runs scored.

Clemson and Texas Tech will conclude the three-game series Sunday at 1:00 PM EST at Dan Law Field.