Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Clemson unloads on Gamecocks, 12-2


What a difference 24 hours makes. Yesterday at this time the Tigers (28-14, 12-9) were facing a 3-1 deficit to Coastal Carolina with two strikes and two outs in the 9th and a tough road game at arch rival South Carolina tonight. Suddenly, 26-16 was staring the Tigers in the face. We know what happened next.

This evening it took the Tigers until the 6th inning to get a hit, but then the floodgates opened for 12 runs over the last 4 innings, including a solo home run by Ben Paulsen and a 3 run shot by Kyle Parker. Parker finished the night 2-4 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI.

Clemson finished the game with 11 hits, while holding South Carolina (27-15) to 6.

Parker now sits at .301 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI. Not bad for a guy who started the first two weeks of the season in the .130 range.

Scott Weismann started for the Tigers and pitched 4 shutout innings. Matt Vaughn (3-1) followed with 3 shutout innings to pick up the win. Thomas Cruz finished the game for the Tigers allowing two runs in two innings.

Make no mistake, this team still has some shortcomings and will struggle against good pitching in the regionals. Defense can also be a question mark at times. However, the last two nights the Tigers have showed some resiliency, first at home and then on the road in a hostile environment against their arch rival that has dominated the series lately.

How far, if anywhere, will these two wins take the Tigers? We'll begin to find out Friday against Georgia Tech in the first game of a three game series in Clemson.

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