CLEMSON BASEBALL

Mercer Takes Game One of Sunday Doubleheader


by -

CLEMSON - Mercer scored three unearned runs in the eighth inning and held on to defeat #1 Clemson 3-2 in the first game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium Sunday. The Bears improved to 9-3, and the Tigers fell to 4-1.

Tyler Colvin was 3-for-4 with a double, RBI, and a run scored to lead the Tigers. Steve Karwatt had a key two-run single for the Bears.

Shawn Barrett gave up three hits in seven innings, and struck out five to earn the win for Mercer, and improved to 2-0. Reliever Daniel Moskos (0-1) suffered the loss for the Tigers. Andrew Urena struck out three in 1.1 innings pitched to earn the save for Mercer, his fourth of the season.

It took the Tigers only three pitches to score in the first. Herman Demmink hit the first pitch of the inning through the right side for a single, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brad Chalk. Colvin then hit the first pitch he saw to center for a single, which scored Demmink. It was Colvin's first hit of the season that was not a home run, as all four of his previous hits were solo homers.

Mercer left the bases loaded in the sixth. With one out, Eric Renfroe singled to shortstop. After Barrett flied out to center, Renfroe advanced to third on a throwing error by Chalk who was attempting to double off Renfroe at first. Josh Thompson and pinch-hitter Andrew Einert both walked to load the bases, which signaled the end of the day for Tiger starter Stephen Faris. Reliever Stephen Clyne came on and got Jason Lowey to fly out to right to end the threat.

Clemson also threatened in the sixth, but could not score. Colvin doubled to lead off the inning, and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Travis Storrer. However, Marquez Smith popped out to third, and Andy D'Alessio struck out to end the inning.

In the eighth, Barrett doubled to left-center with one out. He advanced to third when Thompson reached on a throwing error by Stan Widmann. Pinch-hitter Tyler McCarty missed the bunt on a suicide squeeze attempt, and Barrett was tagged out by Adrian Casanova. McCarty then singled back to the pitcher, advancing Thompson to second. Clemson then brought in Steve Richard, and Lowey singled to left-center to score Thompson and tie the score. Karwatt gave Mercer the lead with a two-run single to right-center, scoring McCarty and Lowey.

Colvin beat out an infield single with two outs in the eighth. Storrer and Smith both walked to load the bases. D'Alessio reached on a fielder's choice when Smith beat shortstop Billy Shaughnessy to the bag at second, scoring Colvin to cut the Bear lead to 3-2. However, the Tigers left the bases loaded after Ben Hall struck out.

Urena worked a perfect ninth inning to complete the save.

Clemson's 11-game home winning streak came to an end.

Ultimate Level LogoUpgrade Your Account

Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.

Upgrade Now
Comment on this story
Print   
Send Feedback to TigerNet Staff: Email | Comment
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
FIRST LOOK: Clemson Basketball Dancing in March Bobblehead unveiled
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
4-star lineman picks up Clemson offer on visit
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk spring progress, break down latest scrimmage
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes
No. 2 Tigers take on Hurricanes
Post your comments!