Tigers Escape with 3-2 Win Over Furman |
CLEMSON, SC -- Michael Johnson knocked in two runs with a bloop double in shallow centerfield and three Tiger pitchers combined to hold Furman to one earned run, as seventh-ranked Clemson defeated the Paladins Wednesday night at Tiger
Field, 3-2. The Tigers improved to 26-6 on the season, while Furman dropped to 13-18-1. Clemson will play host to NC State in a three-game series this weekend. The victory was Clemson's 24th straight over Furman in baseball dating to a Paladin win on April 10, 1984. Johnson led Clemson at the plate with two hits and two RBIs. Khalil Greene, who has been Clemson's hitting star of late, had three hits, scored a run and drove in a run. Furman was led at the plate by leadoff hitter James Bright, who had a 2-for-5 evening. Justin Maderer also had two hits. Will Daugs, the number-eight man in the order had a double and scored a run. Danny Rueckel had the only RBI for Furman. Clemson scored all three of its runs in the third inning. With one out, catcher Steve Pyzik singled to right field. Casey Stone grounded out to short and Pyzik was forced at second. Now with two out, Henri Stanley laced a single to left, moving Stone to second. Khalil Greene, who had been hitting .457 with runners in scoring position this season entering the game, delivered another timely hit to score Stone with the first run. Stanley moved to third on the play. That brought up Johnson with two out. The Clemson first baseman lofted a high pop up just behind second base on the outfield grass. Furman second baseman Adam Etherington lost the ball in the early evening sky. With everyone running with two outs, Stanley and Greene scored to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead. The play was scored a double. Furman came back in the top of the fourth with its only run off Clemson starter and winner Paul Harrelson (3-0). Ryan Richetti singled down the left field line. He moved to second on a throwing error by Harrelson and advanced to third on a pass ball. Richetti scored on a ground out by Danny Rueckel. Harrelson lasted until the sixth, when he allowed a hit and a walk. But Chad Bendinelli came in and put out the fire, enducing Justin Maderer to ground out third to second to end the inning. Furman made it a one-run game in the top of the seventh. Will Daugs doubled to right center to open the inning. He moved to third on a fly out to left when Stanley made a diving catch. James Bright then singled to center to score Daugs. Furman threatened in the ninth off Clemson reliever Matt Additon, who was credited with a save, his first of the season. Maderer led off with an infield hit, but Additon settled down to strike out two of the next three hitters and give Clemson its 23rd home win of the season in 25 outings. Tom Mastny (3-2) took the loss for Furman, as he allowed three runs in 2.0 innings of work.
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