CLEMSON BASEBALL

Tigers split doubleheader with No.1 FSU but win series

Tigers split doubleheader with No.1 FSU but win series


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#1 Seminoles Salvage Series With 9-5 Win Over Tigers in Game-Two of Doubleheader Monday

Jason Stolz tallies a career-high four RBIs to lead the Tigers.

Clemson, SC -

Top-ranked Florida State pounded out 16 hits en route to a 9-5 win over Clemson in front of 4,965 fans in the second game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Monday night. The Seminoles, who clinched the ACC Atlantic Division title win the victory, improved to 41-11 overall and 22-5 in the ACC. The Tigers, who won the series 2-1, fell to 31-21 overall and 16-11 in ACC play.

The Seminoles scored two runs in the first inning and four runs in the third inning to build a 6-0 lead. After Florida State scored three runs in the fifth inning to take a 9-2 lead, Jason Stolz hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to bring the Tigers within four runs. But righty relievers Gage Smith and Robert Benincasa shut the door and preserved the Seminole win.

Smith (2-0), the third of four Florida State pitchers, earned the win by tossing 2.1 hitless and scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Benincasa pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts to close out the game.

Tiger starter Jonathan Meyer (2-5) suffered the loss, as he allowed six runs on 10 hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Patrick Andrews pitched a career-long 6.2 innings out of the bullpen and gave up three runs.

The Seminoles wasted little time taking the game's first lead in the first inning. Sherman Johnson led off with a single through the right side and advanced to third on Devon Travis' double down the left-field line. James Ramsey reached on a fielder's choice to Meyer, who turned and threw to third to retire Johnson. Jayce Boyd was hit-by-pitch to load the bases, then Stephen McGee lofted a sacrifice fly down the right-field line to score Travis. Josh Delph followed with a two-out single through the left side to plate Ramsey.

In the second inning, Seth Miller led off with a single to right field and Jose Brizuela walked after being down in the count 0-2. Johnson reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no outs, but Meyer retired the next three Seminoles without allowing a run.

The Seminoles added four runs to their lead in the top of the third inning thanks to five-straight hits. With one out, Delph lined a 1-2 pitch to left-center for a single, then John Nogowski lined another 1-2 pitch for a single, this time to left field. Miller followed with a single up the middle on an 0-2 pitch to score Delph, then Brizuela laced a triple down the right-field line to score Nogowski and Miller. Johnson then belted a 1-2 pitch down the right-field line for a double to plate Brizuela.

In the bottom of the third inning, Thomas Brittle drew a one-out walk on 10 pitches after being down in the count 0-2, then Shaffer singled down the left-field line to move Brittle to third base. Brittle scored on Phil Pohl's sacrifice fly to right-center.

Clemson cut further into the Seminoles' lead in the fourth inning. Brad Felder ripped a two-out double to right field and Stolz grounded a double over the third-base bag to score Felder.

The Seminoles responded with three runs in the fifth inning. Nogowski led off with a single through the right side and Miller walked. After Brizuela walked on four pitches to load the bases with no outs, Johnson belted a 1-2 pitch down the right-field line for a double to score Nogowski and Miller. Two batters later, Ramsey lofted a sacrifice fly to right-center to score Brizuela.

In the sixth inning, Spencer Kieboom and Felder both drew one-out walks, then Stolz blasted a three-run homer to left-center, his fifth long ball of the season.

Johnson led Florida State's 16-hit attack by going 4-for-4 with two doubles, three RBIs, and two walks, as he tied his career high for hits and reached base in all six of his plate appearances. Nogowski and Miller totaled three hits and two runs apiece, while Delph added two hits. Florida State put six of its leadoff batters on base as well.

Stolz led the Tigers with a homer, double, and a career-high four RBIs. Shaffer added two hits for the Tigers, who totaled nine hits, but only put one leadoff batter on base. Wilkerson went 1-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 14 games.

With the loss on Monday night, Clemson split the doubleheader, ending its streak of six consecutive doubleheader sweeps dating to 2010. Since the beginning of the 2010 season, the Tigers are 18-2 in doubleheader games, as their only two losses came to teams ranked #1 in the nation, including at top-ranked Virginia in 2010.

Clemson will return to action on Tuesday when it hosts Furman at 6:30 PM at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. It will be Clemson's last regular-season home game in 2012.

GAME 1:

Clemson, SC -

Clemson scored nine combined runs in the first four innings and held on for a 9-7 victory over #1 Florida State in the first game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Monday afternoon. The Tigers, who took a 2-0 series lead, improved to 31-20 overall and 16-10 in the ACC. The Seminoles fell to 40-11 overall and 21-5 in ACC play. Clemson’s 31st win of the year also assured the Tigers of a final winning record for the 48th consecutive season and a final non-losing record for the 55th straight year.

The loss meant that Florida State lost its first weekend series of the 2012 season. The Seminoles had won each of their last 12 regular-season weekend series dating to 2011, when Clemson handed the Seminoles a 2-1 series loss in Tallahassee to close the 2011 regular season. The win for the Tigers was also their 14th all-time victory over a top-ranked team.

The Tigers built a 9-1 lead after four innings, but the Seminoles chipped away with two runs in the sixth, seventh, and ninth innings. In the ninth inning, they put the tying run on second base with one out, but fell short.

Tiger starter Kevin PohleKevin Pohle
So. RH Pitcher
#21 6-3, 180
St. Louis, MO

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(6-2) earned the win by tossing 6.0 strong innings. He gave up six hits, three runs (one earned), and one walk. Scott FirthScott Firth
Jr. RH Pitcher
#20 6-0, 165
Buffalo Grove, IL

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pitched the final 2.2 innings with three strikeouts to record his second save of the season.

Florida State starter Mike Compton (9-1) suffered his first loss of the year. He yielded six hits, six runs (three earned), and one walk with one strikeout in 1.1 innings pitched. Peter Miller pitched the final 4.1 innings without allowing a run as well. The three Florida State pitchers combined to strand 11 Tigers on base, including seven in scoring position.

The Tigers grabbed the game’s first lead in the first inning after the first two batters were retired. Richie ShafferRichie Shaffer
Jr. 3rd Base
#8 6-3, 205
Charlotte, NC

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flared a two-out double down the left-field line and scored on Phil PohlPhil Pohl
Sr. Catcher
#9 5-11, 215
Cooperstown, NY

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’s single to left-center. Jay BaumJay Baum
Fr. Infielder
#13 5-11, 180
Alpharetta, GA

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followed with another double down the left-field line, but Pohl was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

In the second inning, Clemson took advantage of two Seminole errors to score five runs, three of which were unearned. Jon McGibbonJon McGibbon
So. 1st Base
#12 6-1, 210
Lindenhurst, NY

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led off with an infield single and Spencer KieboomSpencer Kieboom
Jr. Catcher
#22 6-0, 220
Marietta, GA

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reached on a throwing error by third-baseman John Holland. Brad FelderBrad Felder
Gr. Outfielder
#3 6-0, 200
Bowman, SC

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followed with a single to center to score McGibbon. Two batters later, Steve WilkersonSteve Wilkerson
So. 2nd Base
#17 6-1, 185
Roswell, GA

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laced a double to right-center to score Kieboom and Felder. The two-bagger also extended Wilkerson’s hitting streak to 13 games. After Thomas BrittleThomas Brittle
RS Jr. Outfielder
#4 5-8, 170
Cross, SC

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was hit-by-pitch, both Wilkerson and Brittle stole a base on the same pitch, then Wilkerson scored when the throw to third was errant. After Shaffer walked, Pohl struck out, and Baum was intentionally walked to load the bases, McGibbon drew a two-out walk on nine pitches to score Brittle.

In the third inning, Josh Delph led off with a single up the middle and Jose Brizuela lined a 1-2 pitch to right field for a single. After Sherman Johnson’s lineout to right field moved Delph to third, Devon Travis reached on a fielder’s choice as Brizuela was retired at second and Delph scored.

The Tigers added to their lead in the fourth inning. Shaffer led off with a walk and advanced to second on Pohl’s groundout to first. Baum walked as Shaffer moved to third on a wild pitch, then Baum stole second. Two batters later with two outs, Kieboom blooped a double down the left-field line to score Shaffer and Baum. Felder followed with a single up the middle to plate Kieboom.

In the sixth inning, James Ramsey drew a one-out walk after being down in the count 0-2 and Jayce Boyd lined a 1-2 pitch to left field for a single. Both runners moved up a base on Lee Howard’s groundout, then John Nogowski reached with two outs on a throwing error by Shaffer at third that allowed Ramsey and Boyd to score.

The Seminoles cut further into Clemson’s lead in the seventh inning. Delph led off with a single to right-center and Brizuela was hit-by-pitch. Giovanny Alfonzo reached on a fielder’s choice as Delph was retired at third, then Travis walked on 10 pitches to load the bases. Ramsey was hit-by-pitch to score Brizuela, then Boyd lofted a sacrifice fly to center to score Alfonzo.

Travis led off the ninth inning with a double to left-center, then Ramsey reached on an infield single. Boyd’s sacrifice fly to right-center plated Travis, then pinch-hitter Stephen Spradling singled through the left side. Nogowski followed with a single to left-center to load the bases, then Seth Miller grounded a 1-2 pitch through the right side for a single to score Ramsey. But Delph flied out to right-center for out #2, then Brizuela struck out swinging to end the game.

Felder led Clemson’s nine-hit performance by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, while Kieboom totaled a team-high two RBIs. Clemson also amassed a season-high five stolen bases.

Delph went 3-for-5 with a run to lead the Seminoles, who accumulated 12 hits.

Clemson and Florida State will conclude the doubleheader and three-game series on Monday at 6:00 PM. The game will be televised live by ESPNU.


Florida State 7 (40-11,21-5 ACC)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB

------------------------------------------------------

Sherman Johnson ss....... 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 0

Giovanny Alfonzo ss..... 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

Devon Travis 2b.......... 4 1 1 1 1 0 3 1 0

James Ramsey cf.......... 3 2 1 1 1 0 3 0 1

Jayce Boyd 1b............ 3 1 1 2 0 0 5 1 0

Stephen McGee c.......... 2 0 1 0 0 0 5 1 0

Lee Howard c............ 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2

Stephen Spradling ph.... 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

John Nogowski dh......... 5 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0

Justin Gonzalez pr...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

John Holland 3b.......... 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Seth Miller lf.......... 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0

Josh Delph rf............ 5 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 0

Jose Brizuela lf/3b...... 3 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 3

Mike Compton p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Kyle Bird p............. 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

Peter Miller p.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals................... 37 7 12 5 4 3 24 8 11

Clemson 9 (31-20,16-10 ACC)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB

------------------------------------------------------

Steve Wilkerson 2b....... 4 1 1 2 1 1 3 5 0

Thomas Brittle cf........ 4 1 1 0 0 0 5 0 4

Richie Shaffer 3b........ 3 2 1 0 2 1 2 0 0

Phil Pohl dh............. 4 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0

Jay Baum lf.............. 3 1 1 0 2 0 1 0 2

Jon McGibbon 1b.......... 4 1 1 1 1 1 6 1 0

Spencer Kieboom c........ 5 2 1 2 0 0 3 0 3

Brad Felder rf........... 4 1 2 2 1 1 4 0 0

Tyler SlatonTyler Slaton Fr. Outfielder #18 5-7, 195 Cumming, GA View Full Profile rf......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Jason StolzJason Stolz Sr. Infielder #2 6-2, 205 Marietta, GA View Full Profile ss........... 3 0 0 0 1 2 2 4 1

Kevin Pohle p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

Joseph MoorefieldJoseph Moorefield RS Jr. LH Pitcher #51 6-1, 205 Woodruff, SC View Full Profile p..... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Clay BatesClay Bates RS Fr. RH Pitcher #42 5-11, 180 Rock Hill, SC View Full Profile p............ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Scott Firth p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals................... 34 9 9 8 9 7 27 10 11

Score by Innings R H E

-------------------------------------------

Florida State....... 001 002 202 - 7 12 2

Clemson............. 150 300 00X - 9 9 1

-------------------------------------------

E - McGEE(8); HOLLAND(2); SHAFFER(10). DP - Clemson 1. LOB - Florida St. 11;

Clemson 11. 2B - TRAVIS(18); WILKERSON(12); SHAFFER(16); BAUM(4); S.

KIEBOOM(7). 3B - BRITTLE(8). HBP - RAMSEY; BRIZUELA; BRITTLE. SF - BOYD

2(6). SB - WILKERSON(7); BRITTLE(9); SHAFFER(7); POHL(2); BAUM(5).

Florida State IP H R ER BB SO AB BF

-----------------------------------------------

Mike Compton........ 1.1 6 6 3 1 1 10 12

Kyle Bird........... 2.1 2 3 3 5 4 9 14

Peter Miller........ 4.1 1 0 0 3 2 15 18

Clemson IP H R ER BB SO AB BF

-----------------------------------------------

Kevin Pohle......... 6.0 6 3 1 1 0 24 25

Joseph Moorefield... 0.0 1 2 2 0 0 1 2

Clay Bates.......... 0.1 0 0 0 1 0 1 3

Scott Firth......... 2.2 5 2 2 2 3 11 15

Win - POHLE (6-2). Loss - COMPTON (9-1). Save - FIRTH (2).

WP - BIRD(2); P. MILLER(6); POHLE(3). HBP - by COMPTON (BRITTLE); by MOOREFIELD

(BRIZUELA); by BATES (RAMSEY).

Umpires - HP: Tony Walsh 1B: Mark Chapman 3B: Bryant Woodall

Start: 1:03 PM Time: 3:31 Attendance:

MOOREFIELD faced 2 batters in the 7th.

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