Box Score |   

Cullowhee, N.C. - Clemson broke open a close game with an eight-run fifth inning on Tuesday night in handing Western Carolina a 19-2 loss in the front end of a midweek, nonconference home-and-home series at Childress Field / Hennon Stadium.

The Tigers (12-11) rode big innings in collecting their second-straight victory over the Catamounts dating back to last season. Clemson erased WCU's early, 2-1, lead with a four-spot in the second inning to take a 5-2 advantage it would carry through four innings. The visitors then batted around, plating eight runs on six hits and capitalized on three walks to grab a commanding 13-2 lead.

Clemson added four runs in the sixth and a pair of markers in the top of the ninth to round out the game's scoring and provide the final tally.

Junior Reece Strong stayed hot at the plate for Western Carolina, recording the lone multi-hit game for the Catamounts with a 2-for-4 showing while also reaching on a HBP. Strong collected one of WCU's two RBI with a run-scoring single in the two-run first inning. His classmate Kramer Ferrell, reached twice with a pair of walks with Jason Smith driving in a run with a bases loaded walk, also in the opening frame.

In addition to Strong, three other Catamounts reached base safely twice in the loss. Sophomore Matt Smith singled and drew a walk, while freshman Brett Pope and junior Danny Bermudez also both reached first on a free pass and a single in the game.

Catamount freshman Corey Sikes (1-1) took the loss after allowing five runs - four earned - on four hits through two innings with a walk. Sikes was one of six WCU pitchers to toe the rubber on the night. Reliever Jonathan Waszak struck out three against two walks in two innings out of the bullpen with freshman Drew Bolick tossing a third of a frame.

Tuesday night saw the return to the diamond for redshirt junior RHP Danny Schneider who missed the majority of the 2013 season due to injury. The Roswell, Ga., native tossed a career-long three innings with two strikeouts and a pair of walks, allowing one unearned run on just one hit. Junior Colton Davis tossed the ninth for WCU with a strikeout.

Clemson reliever Alex Schnell (2-0) picked up the victory after coming on in the second inning to relieve starter Taylor Vetzel. Schnell pitched two innings of hitless, scoreless relieve, working around four walks with four strikeouts. He twice worked out of jams, stranding two in the second and left the bases loaded in the third with inning-ending strikeouts.

Tiger pitching limited the potent Catamount lineup to seven singles on the night.

Offensively for Clemson, every Tiger starter scored at least one run with four players tallying multi-hit games led by catcher Chris Okey with three hits and shortstop Eli White finishing 3-for-3 before being lifted. Tyler Krieger extended his current hitting streak to 11-straight games.

Western Carolina (9-12) remains at home to host The Citadel Bulldogs in Southern Conference play with a three-game series getting underway on Friday and continuing through Sunday in Cullowhee. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5:00 pm with Saturday's game slated for a 2:00 pm start and Sunday's finale at 1:00 pm. All three games will be streamed live with video on the SoCon Digital Network.