Tigers Complete Sweep of #18 UC Irvine With 10-2 Victory Sunday

Feb. 27, 2005

Clemson, SC –

Clemson scored 10 runs in the first three innings and finished off the series sweep of #18 UC Irvine by a score of 10-2 Sunday in front of 2,691 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Eleven different Tigers had at least one hit in Clemson’s season-high 13-hit performance. Clemson improved to 4-2, while the Anteaters fell to 6-5.

Kris Harvey (1-1) had a solid game on the mound and at the plate. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing two runs, six hits, and one walk while striking out seven to earn the victory. He also hit a three-run homer and added a sacrifice fly at the plate. Stephen Faris and Chris Fidrych pitched the final 3.1 innings without allowing a run. The three Tiger pitchers combined to strand 12 runners on base. Anteater starter Michael Koehler (1-1) suffered the loss, as he did not make it out of the second inning.

After UC Irvine left the bases loaded in the top of the first, Clemson took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Herman Demmink led off with an infield single to shortstop, stole second, and scored on Taylor Harbin’s double down the left-field line. Travis Storrer advanced Harbin to third on a long fly-ball out, and Harvey brought home Harbin with a sacrifice fly to center. Tyler Colvin drew out a two-out walk, stole second, and scored on Andy D’Alessio’s line-drive home run to left-center, his first of the season.

The Anteaters left two more runners on base without scoring in the top of the second inning, then the Tigers doubled their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Doug Kingsmore Stadium, was uncharacteristically blowing out to right-center on Sunday.

UC Irvine got on the board in the third inning. Erik Johnson led off with a walk and came around to score on R.J. Brown’s double to the gap in left-center.

Clemson responded with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. David Williams walked and went to third on a throwing error by pitcher Travis Rhymes. Adrian Casanova then singled past a drawn-in infield to bring home Williams. After Demmink drew a two-out walk, Harbin singled to left field to plate Casanova, upping the Tigers’ lead to 10-1.

The Anteaters cut into the Tiger lead in the sixth inning, but could only score one run. Pinch-hitter Tim Stewart led off with a single and came around to score on Cody Cipriano’s single through the right side.

Along with Harvey, Demmink and Harbin led the Tiger offense with two hits apiece. Harbin was a perfect 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored, two RBIs, and his sixth double of the season. He also has had at least one extra-base hit in all six of his games during his freshman season.

Clemson will next travel to Auburn, AL and Plainsman Park to play a three-game series at Auburn starting Friday at 8:00 PM EST.