Maryland
Clemson
Clemson Tops Maryland, 5-4
4/20/2012 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 20, 2012
Final Stats | Season Stats (PDF)
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland rallied from a 3-0 deficit with three runs in the eighth inning, but Clemson's Richie Shaffer hit a two-run, two-out triple in the ninth to lift the Tigers to a 5-4 win Friday night.
Clemson's (22-17, 10-9 ACC) two-out rally in the top of the ninth spoiled a terrific comeback for Maryland (25-15, 7-12 ACC). The Terps had scored all three of their runs with two outs in the eighth to tie the game.
K.J. Hockaday and Kyle Convissar produced run-scoring singles, and Ryan Holland's double to the gap in left-center field scored Convissar all the way from first to tie it 3-3.
But Clemson managed to retake the lead working against three Maryland pitchers in the ninth.
Terrapin starting pitcher Jimmy Reed struck out the first batter in the ninth, but with a high pitch count gave way to reliever Charlie Haslup. Clemson's Jason Stolz reached base on an infield single that deflected off Haslup, and Korey Wacker then moved to the mound from center field.
After Wacker struck out Steve Wilkerson and issued a four-pitch walk to Thomas Brittle, Shaffer ripped a 1-1 pitch over right fielder Matt Bosse's head to score two and give Clemson a 5-3 lead.
Jordan Hagel drew Maryland within a run in the bottom of the ninth by hitting a solo home run with two outs, but Firth struck out Tomo Delp looking to end the game.
Reed turned in another solid outing, pitching 8 1/3 innings while allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits. The junior, who struck out five, has lasted at least eight innings in each of his three starts this season.
Clemson starter Kevin Brady kept Maryland scoreless in seven innings of work, striking out eight while walking two and scattering five hits. Brady exited with a 3-0 lead, but didn't factor into the decision.
The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third on Phil Pohl's RBI single to left field, and then stretched the lead to 3-0 with a two-run fifth inning. Steve Wilkerson led off with a double down the left-field line, and scored when Richie Shaffer reached on a Maryland error. Pohl then brought in Shaffer with a double off the wall in center field.
Clemson maintained its 3-0 lead until the eighth, when Alfredo Rodriguez sparked Maryland's rally by leading off the inning with a single.
Despite allowing all four runs, Firth (4-0) earned the win, while Haslup (3-4) was charged with one run and took the loss.
Jack Cleary led Maryland offensively with a 3-for-4 effort at the plate, while Stolz went 3-for-4 with two runs to lead the Tigers. Seven of Maryland's nine starters had a hit, including Convissar who went 2-for-4.
With rain in the forecast on Sunday, Maryland and Clemson will look to complete the three game-series Saturday. The teams will play a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.
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