Maryland
Clemson
Clemson Slips Past Maryland, 7-5
5/9/2010 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 9, 2010
Box Score | Season Stats (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Clemson came back from a 5-3 deficit to defeat Maryland 7-5, sparked by a three-run home run from Kyle Parker in the sixth inning after a controversial call at first base prolonged the inning.
With two outs in the inning and relief pitcher Adam Kolarek on the mound, Mike Freeman hit a hard grounder to first base that Terps first baseman Gary Schneider made a diving stop on. Schneider got to his feet and tossed to Kolarek, who appeared to touch first base for the third out of the inning. But the first base umpire ruled that Kolarek didn't touch the bag and Freeman was awarded a hit, giving Clemson runners at first and third.
Will Lamb scored from third on a passed ball to make it 5-4 and after John Hinson drew a walk, Parker hit a three-run home run over the right field wall to give Clemson a 7-5 lead.
Prior to the decisive sixth inning, Maryland had built a two-run lead with two runs in both the fourth and fifth innings.
Schneider led off the fourth with a single and after a Matt Marquis popup, advanced to third on a single down the right field line by David Poutier. Schneider came home on a fielder's choice by Zach Fisher and Kevin Tehansky's single up the middle scored Fisher to tie the game at 3-3.
Alfredo Rodriguez led off the fifth a double down the left field line, Schneider drew a walk and Maryland broke the tie on Marquis' single through the left side. After a double steal, Poutier grounded out to shortstop, bringing Schneider home for a 5-3 Maryland lead.
Clemson reliever Tomas Cruz (3-2) went 4 2/3, allowing five runs on seven hits in the win.
Kolarek (1-3), who came on in relief of starter Sander Beck and pitched splendidly for five innings, was tagged with the loss. The junior struck out a career-high seven and gave up four runs, all of them coming in the sixth.
Poutier capped off an excellent series with a three-hit day and finished the weekend 8-for-11 with two walks. Schneider had his seven-game multiple-hit streak snapped but still went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI.
Clemson improved to 31-17 and 14-10 in the Atlantic Coast Conference with the win, while Maryland fell to 16-37 and 4-23 in league play.
Prior to the game, Maryland honored nine seniors playing their final game at Shipley Field at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium: team manager Corey Haines, Trey Hipp, Tim Crawford, Tehansky, Poutier, Rozak, John Dischert, Ian Schwalenberg and Dan Gentzler.
Maryland has a week off for finals before playing the final series of 2010 at Wake Forest May 20-22.
