Kennedy's blast gives Tigers opening day win

David Hood - Senior Writer - Friday, February 15 2013

CLEMSON – Clemson head coach Jack LeggettJack Leggett
Baseball Head Coach
View Full Profile added junior college transfer Shane KennedyShane Kennedy
Jr.
#11 6=2, 190
Orlando, FL
View Full Profile in the offseason with the hopes that Kennedy could help offset the loss of Richie ShafferRichie Shaffer
3rd Base
#8 6-3, 205
Charlotte, NC
View Full Profile and his power potential.

Mission accomplished, at least through the first game of the season.

Kennedy, hitting cleanup in the first game of his Clemson career, launched a two-out, two-run home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning, breaking a scoreless tie and sending Clemson to a 2-0 victory over William & Mary in the season opener at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Friday afternoon.

“Opening Day was awesome. The fact that it was my first Clemson game is even better,” Kennedy said after the game, clutching the game-winning ball in his hands. “I struggled at first. I was just trying to get on base and make contact with the ball, and I got lucky and it went. I know they are expecting some things out of me, but I just tried to settle down and make something happen. Honestly, we needed baserunners. We needed people on and Stevie did a great job of getting on.”

The teams had combined for just eight hits heading into the bottom of the eighth, and it didn’t look like things would change drastically as the Tigers recorded two quick outs. That brought up Steve WilkersonSteve Wilkerson
Jr. 2nd Base
#17 6-1, 185
Roswell, GA
View Full Profile, who dropped a bunt out in the front of the plate for a base hit, the first hit of the day for the top three hitters in the order.

Up next was Kennedy – hitless on the afternoon – but he changed his fortunes and the fortunes of his teammates when he smoked a fastball from losing pitcher Brett Koehler for Clemson’s first runs of the season.

The Tribe used two hits to puts runners at first and second with no outs in the top of the ninth, and a sacrifice bunt put both runners in scoring position with just one out off of reliever Clay BatesClay Bates
RS Fr. RH Pitcher
#42 5-11, 180
Rock Hill, SC
View Full Profile. Leggett turned to Matt CampbellMatt Campbell
Jr. RH Pitcher
#36 5-11, 185
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile, who induced a strike out and a fly ball to right in earning the save.

Koehler was effective for the Tribe in the loss, giving up just the two runs and six hits in eight innings of work. Clemson starter Daniel GossettDaniel Gossett
So. RH Pitcher
#23 6-0, 160
Lyman, SC
View Full Profile was even more effective, going 6 2/3 innings, giving up just four hits, walking one and striking out four.

“Daniel pitched well, and we played pretty good defense,” Leggett said. “Offensively, we couldn’t get anything going. We got a little anxious and hit too many balls in the air. But it was a good win, good to get it behind us and hopefully we can get a little more offense tomorrow. We couldn’t get the leadoff man and couldn’t get things going, and we were just kind of feeling our way through the ballgame. Luckily, our pitching and our defense held up.”

Gossett said he was pleased with his effort, but was actually more proud that he and fellow pitcher Kyle WhitmanKyle Whitman
Fr.
#8 6-2, 215
Fort Mill, SC
View Full Profile called Kennedy’s game-winning shot.

“Me and Kyle Whitman actually called it,” Gossett said. “We said, ‘We need a home run right now. That would be huge.’ That was a big blow, a game-changer obviously. It’s good to have a little confidence and know I got the first one under my belt. But I can’t take any days off.”

The teams play game two of the series at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.