Wolfpack Takes Game One of Series Over Clemson Friday, 3-2

March 28, 2003

Kinston, NC –

Jeremy Dutton’s leadoff homer in the 11th inning gave N.C. State a 3-2 win over #10 Clemson Friday evening in front of 1,059 fans at Grainger Stadium in Kinston, NC. The Wolfpack improved to 22-6 overall and 3-1 in the ACC. Clemson fell to 18-5 overall, 0-1 in conference play. It was the first extra-inning game of the season for both teams.

N.C. State reliever Joey Devine (3-0) earned the win in 2.2 shutout innings of work. Tiger starter Tyler Lumsden did not factor in the decision after earning the victory in each of his five starts in 2003. Lumsden pitched 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five. He uncharacteristically walked four batters and hit five others, but was able to work out of countless jams. Patrick Hogan (0-1) suffered the loss. It was the first homer allowed by Hogan in 2003.

The #16 Wolfpack got on the board in the first inning. Marc Maynor led off the frame being hit by a pitch. Joe Gaetti then hit a towering home run to left center, his ninth of the season. Clemson had only allowed three runs in first innings of games this season entering Friday’s game.

Clemson came right back with two runs in the second inning. Brad McCann led off with his 11th double of the season down the left-field line. Jeff Hourigan then hit a single up the middle on a full count to drive home McCann. Kyle Frank followed with a bunt single. Two batters later, Collin Mahoney hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Hourigan, to tie the score 2-2.

Lumsden got out of a jam in the third inning to keep the score tied. He walked Gaetti to lead off the inning and gave up a single to Colt Morton, putting runners at first and third with no outs. But he got Justin Riley to ground into a double play without Gaetti scoring. After hitting and walking the next two batters to load the bases, Chad Orvella lined what appeared to be a hit to right field. However first baseman Michael Johnson leaped high in the air to spear the hard-hit ball, ending the inning.

Riley returned the favor in the fifth inning. After singles by David Slevin and Russell Triplett, Johnson lined an 0-2 curveball down the first-base line. Riley dove “all out” and made a great stab on a short hop to save at least one run, as he stepped on first base for out #2. Relief pitcher Phillip Davidson then got McCann to pop up to end the inning.

N.C. State rallied again in the eighth inning with the score tied 2-2. Lee Mezistrano led off with a double in the left-field gap. He moved to third on sacrifice bunt by Orvella. After reliever Patrick Hogan then entered the game to face Dustin Murphy. Murphy walked to bring Maynor to the plate. Before an 0-2 pitch was thrown to Maynor, Hogan faked to third, as Murphy was stealing on Hogan’s first movement. Hogan threw directly to Slevin at second base, as Slevin tug out Maynor to end the threat.

Triplett led off the 10th inning with a single through the left side, his third of the game. In the last four games, Triplett is 11-for-16 (.688). Johnson, who was down 1-2 in the count, followed with a walk to put runners at first and second with no outs. But after McCann missed on an attempted bunt, Triplett was caught too far off second base, as Morton threw behind him. Triplett was caught in a rundown for out #1. McCann later struck out, followed by another strikeout by Hourigan.

Dutton then led off the 11th inning with a towering homer to right field on a 2-1 fastball from Hogan. Dutton did not even start the game, as he pinch hit earlier in the game.

Clemson and N.C. State will play game two of the three-game series Saturday at 1:30 PM.