April 5, 2006

Final Stats

Clemson, S.C. - Western Carolina scored six runs in the second and two in the seventh to upset the seventh-ranked Clemson Tigers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. With the win, WCU head coach Todd Raleigh picks up his 200th career victory and it marked the Catamounts' second win all-time in Clemson (and first since 1974), snapping a 35-game losing streak to the Tigers on the road.

After taking an 8-2 lead in the top of the seventh, Western Carolina (18-11) had its back against the wall in the bottom of the frame. The Tigers (20-8) had scored four runs to make it a two-run game with runners on second and third. WCU closer Greg Holland came in the game and struck out the final batter of the inning, then pitched a perfect eighth and ninth innings, retiring all seven batters he faced with two strikeouts to earn his second save on the season.

Clemson jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first. Leadoff hitter Herman Demmink hit the first pitch he saw to center for a double and later scored on a two-out triple by Tyler Colvin.

The Catamounts answered back in the second, sending 11 men to the plate and scoring six runs. Blake Murphy had a leadoff single, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on Jonathan Greene's double to left-center field. Western would load the bases after a walk to Donnie Wilson and bunt single by Grey Gregory. A balk by Clemson starter Matt Vaughn allowed Greene to score, which was followed by a walk to Jason Haynes to re-load the bases. Tim Hallam kept the bases load, driving in Wilson with an infield single. Barrett Shaft then reached on an error, keeping the bases loaded and driving in Gregory. Steven Strausbaugh also kept the bases loaded with a looping single to left, plating Haynes. Trey McDaniel capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to right.

The Tigers cut into their deficit in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, Travis Storrer hit a solo home run, giving the right fielder two homers on the season and making the score 6-2.

Western broke a string four scoreless innings by pushing across two runs on just one hit in the top of the seventh to take an 8-2 lead. McDaniel had a leadoff double and Murphy was hit by a pitch. Western putting runner on the corners when Greene reached on a fielder's choice. McDaniel scored on the back end of a double steal and Greene moved to third on a throwing error. Wilson followed by reaching on an error, which drove in Greene on the play.

Those two runs for Western in the top of the seventh proved key as Clemson scored four runs with two out in the home half to make the score 8-6. After appearing to get out of the inning with two outs and Taylor Harbin striking out. However, a wild pitch allowed Harbin to reach. Tyler Colvin then drew a walk to load the bases. Andy D'Alessio dumped a single to right, scoring two. Then, Marquez Smith singled to left. Colvin scored on the play and, due to an error, so did D'Alessio. With runners on second and third, Holland came out of the bullpen to strike out Stan Widmann to end the threat.

Catamount starter Tyler Johnson pitched well over the first four innings, but did not factor in the decision. He allowed five hits and two runs with two walks and two strikeouts. Brian McCullen got the win, improving to 4-1 on the season. He allowed two hits and three runs over 2.2 innings with two walks and three strikeouts.

Leading WCU offensively was Hallam, who was 3-for-4. Strausbaugh and Greene each added two hits. Smith led Clemson, going 3-for-4, while Demmink and Storrer each had two hits. Vaughn suffered the loss, falling to 0-1. He allowed five hits and six runs in one-plus innings with three walks and a strikeout.

Western Carolina will wrap up its eight-game road swing with three games in a Southern Conference weekend series at Georgia Southern. Friday's game is set for 7 pm in Statesboro, with Saturday and Sunday's game starting at 1:30 pm.