Clemson Completes Sweep of #22 Wake Forest

by Press Release - Sat May 20 19:09:13 GMT-04:00 2006

Clemson, SC-

Third-Ranked Clemson scored seven runs in the first three innings and completed a three-game sweep of #22 Wake Forest with a 7-3 win in front of 5,525 fans on Senior Day at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Saturday. The Tigers extended their winning streak to 15 games and conference-winning streak to 13 games to improve to 43-13 overall and 24-6 in the ACC. The Demon Deacons dropped to 33-20 overall and 16-13 in the ACC.

With the win, Clemson finished the 2006 season 15-0 at home in ACC games. The Tigers have won 18-consecutive ACC games at home dating back to 2005.

The 15-game overall winning streak is the longest for Clemson since 1996, when the Tigers also won 15 games in a row.

Tyler Colvin had two hits, scored two runs, and had two RBIs for Clemson. Herman Demmink, Brad Chalk, and Travis Storrer each had two hits apiece for the Tigers. Matt Antonelli had a hit and drove in two runs, while Eric Williams went 3-for-4 for Wake Forest.

Jason Berken (9-3) entered the game on a pitch count and allowed three runs (none earned) on three hits in 3.2 innings pitched to earn the win for the Tigers. Justin Keadle (5-3) allowed seven runs on seven hits in 2.2 innings pitched and took the loss for the Demon Deacons. The Tigers allowed just one earned run in the entire series.

Wake Forest took its first lead of the series in the first when Evan Ocheltree singled and later scored from third on a passed ball.

Demmink and Chalk hit back-to-back singles to lead off the first. Marquez Smith reached on a fielder's choice and Colvin then extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single through the left side to score Chalk. Storrer followed with a two-run double to right-center that scored Smith and Colvin.

Chalk walked to lead off the third and moved to second on a wild pitch. With one out, Colvin singled through the left side to score Chalk, marking the seventh consecutive plate appearance Colvin recorded a hit. Storrer singled up the middle to score Colvin and Andy D'Alessio walked with two outs. Widmann then hit a two-run double to left-center to score Colvin and Storrer.

Austin Jones reached on an error with two outs in the fourth and Williams followed with a single. The game was then delayed 48 minutes due to rain and lightning. When play resumed, Clemson brought in reliever Stephen Clyne, and Antonelli greeted him a two-run double down the left-field line scoring Jones and Williams.

Jones singled to lead off the eighth and inclement weather struck again, as the game was delayed 113 minutes. After the delay, the Tigers brought in senior reliever Sean Clark, who struck out Andy Goff and Dustin Hood with runners on second and third to end the Wake Forest threat.

Colvin walked in his final two plate appearances, as he has reached base in each of his last nine plate appearances.

Storrer left the game at the end of the fourth with a sprained foot. X-rays were negative. His status will be re-evaluated in Jacksonville.

Clemson outscored Wake Forest 39-4 in the three-game series.

Clemson will be the #1 seed at the ACC Tournament in Jacksonville, FL and will play the #8 seed (either N.C. State or Wake Forest) on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.