Tigers Topple Eagles 13-5

CLEMSON, S.C. – Chris Okey, Eli White and Steven Duggar all hit home runs and Weston Wilson tallied a career-high four hits to lead Clemson to a 13-5 victory over Georgia Southern at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Friday night. The Tigers, who took a 1-0 lead in the series, improved to 26-24 on the season, while the Eagles fell to 27-22.

The Eagles scored a run in the top of the second inning, then Okey responded with a two-run homer, his ninth long ball of the season, in the bottom of the second inning to give Clemson the lead for good. White and Duggar led off the third inning with back-to-back homers before Robert Jolly lined a two-out, run-scoring single in the fourth inning. After the Eagles scored a run in the top of the sixth inning, Clemson erupted for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and four runs in the seventh inning to put the game out of reach.

Crownover (9-1) earned the win by allowing six hits, three runs and one walk with eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched. Eagle starter Evan Challenger (5-2) suffered the loss, as he yielded nine hits, including three homers, and five runs in 4.1 innings pitched. He entered the game with a 1.11 ERA and only one home run allowed in 65.0 innings pitched in 2015.

“We made good adjustments tonight to a good pitcher,” said head coach Jack Leggett. “He had a 1.11 ERA coming into the ballgame tonight and I can see why.”

The series continues Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Youth 12 and under receive free admission by wearing a camp or little league shirt.

[View the story “GSU at Clemson (May 8, 2015)” on Storify]