Tigers Fall To Gamecocks In Low Scoring Affair

April 25, 2001

Clemson, SC – Drew Meyer hit a home run and Lee Gronkiewicz pitched 2 2/3 innings of one-hit relief to lead South Carolina to a 2-1 rain-delayed victory over Clemson at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The win improved South Carolina to 32-13 for the year, while Clemson fell to 29-16. South Carolina won the season series 3-1.

The two teams battled to a scoreless tie through the first three innings. Clemson starter Steve Reba allowed just one hit through the first three frames, while South Carolina starter Chris Spigner allowed just two hits.

South Carolina took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, the first run allowed by Reba in 14 innings. Drew Meyer homered to right center to open the inning, his third career home run at Kingsmore Stadium in three games. Reba later got out of the inning by inducing Tim Whittaker to ground into a double play.

Clemson tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but could have scored more. Kyle Frank opened the inning with a walk and was followed by Jeff Baker, who singled to center. It was the eighth hit in four games against the Gamcocks by Baker, who has missed some recent games due to injury.

Michael Johnson came to the plate and grounded back to Spigner, but the pitcher threw wide of third base, allowing Frank to score. Johnson advanced to second and Baker to third. South Carolina brought in Blake Taylor with the runners on second and third and no out. But, the South Carolina pitcher set the Tigers down on two strikeouts and a pop up.

South Carolina took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth. With one out, Michael Floyd singled to left. He then stole second and remained at that base as Tripp Kelly walked. Chris Plummer then attempted to move the runners up on a sacrifice, but Reba’s throw to first was errant, allowing Floyd to score. Reba then settled down to get out of the inning.

Clemson got a single in the bottom of the fifth from leadoff hitter Casey Stone, but could not advance him past second. Prior to the top of the sixth, at 8:36 PM, rain and lightening became too prevalent and the umpires called for the tarp, causing a two-hour and one-minute delay.

Both teams failed to score after the delay. South Carolina had outstanding pitching from David Marchbanks and Lee Gronkiewicz. The latter pitched the final 2 2/3 innings and struck out four, he allowed just one hit. He came on in the seventh with Clemson runners on second and third and just one out. But, he retired the Tigers, then gave up just one hit in the final two innings.

Clemson went to Patrick Hogan after the rain delay. He was outstanding, allowing just two hits in four innings. He struck out six and walked just one.

Blake Taylor got the win for South Carolina to improve to 3-2 for the season, while Clemson ace Steve Reba took the loss to drop to 8-2.

Each team had five hits and each team had one player with 40 percent of the hits. Drew Meyer had two of South Carolina’s five hits, while Casey Stone had two of Clemson’s four hits. Clemson’s only extra base hit was a double by Chad Coder.

After the game at homeplate, MVP awards for the four-game Clemson vs. South Carolina series were presented in the names of each school’s longtime sports information directors. South Carolina’s MVP, the winner of the Tom Price Award, was Drew Meyer. Clemson’s MVP, the winner of the Bob Bradley Award, was Jeff Baker.

Clemson returns to action at Doug Kingsmore Stadium this weekend with three games against ACC rival North Carolina.