Tigers Continue Torrid Hitting In 13-4 Win Over Western Carolina

April 26, 2000

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Leadoff hitter Casey Stone went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as #6 Clemson defeated Western Carolina 13-4 in non-conference baseball action at Asheville’s McCormick Field Wednesday night. Stone, who has been on a tear of late, has 14 hits in his last six games. The game was part of a doubleheader, as #1 South Carolina defeated UNC Asheville 7-3 prior to the game.

Clemson (36-10) plated three runs in the top of the first as Catamount starter Jared Burton (2-4) issued a free pass to the first two batters. Khalil Greene singled to left field, loading the bases. Patrick Boyd were both hit by a pitch, scoring two runs. Henri Stanley then grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, allowing a run to score.

The Tigers increased their lead to 5-0 in the top of the third. Greene led off the frame with his second single of the day. Mike Calitri, who replaced Michael Johnson at first in the bottom of the second, hit a two-run homer to left field. It was his fourth home run of the season.

Western Carolina (12-33) added a single run in the fifth. Morgan Frazier reached on an error to leadoff the frame and moved to third on double off the left field wall by Jeremy Hamrick. Charlie Wands then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field scoring the Catamounts’ first run of the night.

Bradley LeCroy scored in fourth and then again in the sixth inning to give the Tigers a 7-1 advantage, leading off each inning with a double. LeCroy was 3-for-5 with four runs scored.

The Catamounts trimmed the lead to four with two runs in the sixth. Charles Thomas started the inning with his third single of the night and moved third on a double into the right field corner by Austin Smithwick. Thomas scored on passed ball and Smithwick came home on an RBI groundout. Thomas finished 3-for-4 with a run scored.

Tiger starting pitcher Ryan Childs (4-1) earned his fourth win of the season, tossing s6.0 innings, giving up three runs, just one earned, on five hits, while striking out four.

Clemson gained its biggest lead of the night in the top of the seventh. Casey Stone doubled off the centerfield wall driving in his second and third runs of the night. Stone singled home another run in the ninth as the Tigers plated three runs in their final at bat.

Matt Price hit a pinch-hit home run, his second of the season, in the bottom of the ninth to end the scoring.

The Catamounts used five pitchers on the night with Burton, tossing three innings, receiving his fourth loss of the season. Senior Aaron Kirby also pitched three innings for the Catamounts.

Clemson has 94 hits in its last six games and is hitting .381 over that span. The Tigers, who were at .282 six games ago, are now hitting .298.

Clemson will return to action at #5 Georgia Tech this weekend beginning Friday at 7:00 PM.