May 2, 2009
Box Score
CLEMSON, S.C. -
The Clemson Tigers scored 11 runs on 15 hits to knock off the University of Maryland baseball team, 11-2, Saturday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The home team got on the board first as center fielder Wilson Boyd delivered a solo home run to right field off Terps starter Scott Swinson with one out in the bottom of the second inning, putting the Tigers up 1-0.
After a couple quiet innings, Clemson (31-15, 15-10 ACC) took advantage of some Maryland fielding miscues in the bottom of the fifth to pull away. With a runner at second and one out, leadoff hitter Chris Epps lined a 3-2 pitch toward right-center field. Right fielder A.J. Casario initially charged in to try to make the catch, but then slowed up and the ball got behind him, allowing Epps to scoot to third with an RBI triple.
Second baseman Mike Freeman brought Epps home with a ground ball to first base. Will Greenberg failed to scoop the ball going to his right and Freeman was awarded an infield hit. Trailing 3-0, Swinson induced a potential inning-ending double-play ball to Jeff Schaus. However, the ball went between the legs of second baseman David Poutier, allowing Freeman to score and Schaus to advance to second. Ben Paulsen completed the scoring in the inning with an RBI single.
Overall, the Tigers scored four runs on four hits to take a 5-0 lead. Two of the four runs were unearned.
Clemson put together another rally in the top of the seventh. Brad Miller led off with a hit to center field that looked like a routine single. However, the ball eluded center fielder Dan Benick and Miller moved to third on a double and fielding error. After a ground-out, Jason Stoltz hit a shallow fly ball to center field. Benick retreated on the play and tried to make charge on the ball to make the catch and throw home on a potential sacrifice fly. The ball was shallower than anticipated, however, and fell in safely for an RBI double. Epps made it 7-0 with an RBI single, forcing Swinson from the game.
The Terps (22-25, 6-19 ACC) avoided being shut out, scoring a single run in the top of the eighth. Catcher Tyler Bennett reached second with two outs on a dropped fly ball by center fielder Addison Johnson. Left fielder Gerry Spessard followed Bennett with an RBI double to left field.
Pinch hitter Richard Mounce tacked on another run for Clemson in the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run and the Tigers plated three more in the frame to take an 11-1 lead into the ninth.
Maryland added a second run in the ninth as Jensen Pupa came home on a throwing error by catcher Phil Pohl on a Casario stolen-base attempt.
Swinson took the loss for the Terps, allowing seven runs, five earned, on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings. Ryan Hinson got the win for the Tigers, pitching 2 1/3 shutout innings.
The series resumes tomorrow with a change of schedule. Instead of the scheduled 6:30 p.m. start Sunday, a doubleheader has now been scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., with the second game beginning 45 minutes after the conclusion of game No. 1. Monday's game has been canceled, but is still open in case of a postponement Sunday.
-TERPS-
