April 7, 2006
Final Stats
CLEMSON, S.C. - The Maryland Terrapins fell to the seventh-ranked Clemson Tigers, 3-1, in the series opener at Kingsmore Stadium on Friday night. Casey Baron allowed three runs in a career-high 7.1 innings for the Terps (14-18, 6-10 ACC), but was out-dueled by Clemson's Josh Cribb.
Making his fourth Atlantic Coast Conference start of the year, Baron (1-3) was magnificent on the mound for much of the game, scattering eight hits (including three infield singles) and walking none while striking out three in the longest outing of his career. After surrendering one run over the first seven innings, the left-hander was charged with two runs in the bottom of the eighth before leaving in favor of righty Ryan Moorer.
For Clemson, Cribb gave up six hits and struck out nine en route to the complete game victory. He moves to 6-0 on the year.
The Tigers opened the scoring in the second inning. First baseman Andy D'Alessio singled with one away and moved into scoring position on a groundout by Marquez Smith. Rightfielder Travis Storrer followed with an RBI base hit to center to put Clemson up by a run early on.
Baron worked out of some trouble in the sixth to keep the deficit at one. Centerfielder Brad Chalk singled and stole second to give Clemson a runner on second with one out. But the junior from Fairland, Md. would get the next batter out on a shallow fly to left and ended the threat on a Tyler Colvin groundout at second.
The Tigers picked up a pair of insurance runs in the eighth inning. Back-to-back doubles by Adrian Casanova and Herman Demmick to start the frame put Clemson up, 2-0. A sacrifice bunt gave the Tigers a runner on third and ended Baron's day. Tyler Harbin then reached on an RBI-bunt single off Moorer to give Clemson a three-run advantage.
The Terps rallied in the ninth against Cribb but would ultimately fall short. With runners on the corners and two down, Mike Murphy drove an 0-2 pitch to center, plating Matt Maropis to break the shutout and draw Maryland to within two. But, with the tying run aboard, Chad Durakis grounded out to end the game and give Clemson a 1-0 advantage in the series.
Maryland and Clemson will play tomorrow at 4 p.m. Right-hander Ben Pfinsgraff (2-3, 6.07 ERA) is scheduled to start against the Tigers' Jason Berken (4-2, 2.00).
