Tigers Defeat Duke 12-8 For Leggett's 700th Career Victory

by Press Release - Sun Apr 23 21:36:38 GMT-04:00 2000

DURHAM, N.C. -- No. 6 Clemson used a 22-hit offensive attack and solid

pitching performance from Ryan Mottl to defeat Duke 12-8 Sunday at Jack Coombs

Field. The loss drops Duke to 4-14 in the ACC and 14-32 overall while Clemson

improves to 11-4 in the ACC and 35-10 overall.

Clemson took advantage in the fourth inning as it went up 3-1 on Ryan Riley's RBI double to left field and Justin Singleton's RBI groundout. Clemson went up 6-1 with three nuns in the fifth. Leadoff hitter Brian Ellis reached base on an error, Khalil Greene singled and both scored on Jeff Baker's RBI double to right center. Michael Johnson's sacrifice fly scored the other run.

The win marked Clemson head coach Jack Leggett's 700th career victory. The victory also gave Mottl his 30th career victory at Clemson and gives him sole possession of the school's career victory record.

Clemson scored five run in the seventh and one in the eighth to go up 12-3. But Duke battled back with five runs of its own in the bottom of the eighth. David Mason led off the eighth with a walk followed by J.D. Alleva's single. Jeff Decker's double drove in Mason and Larry Broadway's groundout drove home Alleva. After Kevin Kelly and Troy Caradonna walked to lead the bases, Brian Patrick drove in two runners with a double to left field. Caradonna scored on a wild pitch to make it 12-8 but that was the closest the Blue Devils came.

Once again Larry Broadway led Duke at the plate with a 3-4, two double and three RBI performance. David Mason also collected three hits (3-4, RBI) and J.D. Alleva went 2-4.

Khalil Greene led Clemson at the plate with a 5-6, two RBI day. Patrick Boyd finished 4-5 with two runs, Casey Stone went 3-4 with two runs and two RBI and Ryan Riley went 3-5 with two RBI.

Duke starter Ryan Caradonna (5-8) took the loss after throwing the first 4 1/3 innings and allowing 10 hits and six runs (5 earned). Relievers Brad huPxee (2.1 IP), Steve Schroeder (0.0 IP) and Kevin Thompson (2.1 IP) all saw appearances for Duke.

Duke hosts High Point on Wednesday at Jack Coombs Field (3 p.m.) before hosting North Carolina Thursday (3 p.m.), Friday (3 p.m.) and Saturday (1 p.m.) next weekend. Following North Carolina, Duke will have two more home contests in Old Dominion (May 7) and No. 1 ranked South Carolina (May 10).

Clemson 12 Duke 8 R H E

Clemson 100 230 510 12 22 0

Duke 001 002 050 8 10 2