Clemson Claims Saturday Doubleheader Versus Duke

Saturday, April 18

Clemson, S.C.

12:00 PM

Duke University

Clemson

Duke Faces Longwood in Final Midweek Game

Clemson Claims Saturday Doubleheader Versus Duke

4/18/2015 8:04:00 PM | Baseball

By: Duke Sports Information

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson won both ends of a doubleheader against Duke Saturday afternoon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Tigers defeated the Blue Devils, 6-2, in the opening contest before earning an 8-1 decision in game two.

Clemson (22-18, 11-9 ACC) outhit Duke (22-17, 5-15 ACC) 19-11 over the two games and capitalized on big innings to take control in both contests.

“We're incredibly disappointed,” said head coach Chris Pollard. “Guys came down here expecting to have a good day and climb right back into the heart of the ACC race. We give credit to Clemson because they played well. I thought their guys competed well and [Zack] Erwin pitched a very impressive ballgame in the second game.”

Freshmen Luke Whitten, Ryan Day and Jack Labosky were impressive out of the bullpen over the two games. The rookie trio allowed just one hit over a combined 7.0 innings for the day.

“We had a number of guys come in in relief and pitch very effectively,” Pollard said. “I'm really proud of Luke Whitten, Ryan Day and Jack Labosky for the jobs that they did in relief. Ultimately we didn't generate enough offense on the day to put ourselves in position to have success.”

The two teams take the field Sunday, April 19 for the series finale at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

GAME 1
Clemson scored two runs in the third and four in the fifth to secure a 6-2 victory over Duke in game one of Saturday's ACC doubleheader.

Second baseman Tyler Krieger and designated hitter Chase Pinder both drove in two RBI, while catcher Chris Okey totaled three hits to pace the Tigers. Left-hander Michael Crownover (7-1) allowed two runs, one earned, on five hits over seven innings in the win.

Senior Andy Perez notched two hits for his team-leading 17th multiple hit game of the season. Perez also bolstered his career-high total to 27 stolen bases after swiping second base in the top of the third. Freshman Peter Zyla extended his hit streak to seven games with a first-inning base hit.

Duke generated a pair of two-out singles in the third to plate the series' first run. Perez sent a base hit through the left side and stole second, his ACC-leading 27th stolen base of the season. Max Miller bounced an infield single towards shortstop, which scooted under the glove of Eli White. The miscue allowed Perez to scamper home from third.

Duke did not escape the bottom half with the advantage, surrendering two runs on three hits. A White walk began the rally, which culminated in a Krieger two-run single.

The Blue Devils loaded the bases in the fifth before Clemson made two nice defensive plays to work out of the jam. Right fielder Steven Duggar made a shoestring catch on a Max Miller line drive for the second out before first baseman Andrew Cox corralled a tough hop behind the bag for the final out.

The first five Tiger batters reached in what turned in to a four-run fifth inning. A bases-loaded walk, Okey RBI single and Pinder two-run base knock accounted for the Clemson offensive production.

“We gave up a four-run inning with only two hits,” Pollard said. “We walked a guy. We had a guy reach on an error. We had a guy reach on a mishandled bunt and then they had two hits. When you give up four runs on two hits to a good offensive club, it's going to come back to haunt you.”

Senior Dillon Haviland (1-1) suffered the loss after yielding six runs, four earned, on eight hits. Haviland walked three and struck out one over 4.1 innings.

GAME 2
A five-run fifth inning catapulted Clemson to the 8-1 victory in Saturday's second contest.

Three Tigers – Steven Duggar, Tyler Krieger and Chase Pinder – totaled two hits each to help the Clemson cause.

The Blue Devils again registered an early run to stake a 1-0 advantage over the Tigers. Max Miller recorded a one-out single and took second on a balk. With two outs, redshirt senior Mike Rosenfeld drilled an RBI single to right.

The Tigers counted with two runs in the bottom half, registering four singles in the frame. Reed Rohlman and Chris Okey drove in a run each to turn the one run deficit into a 2-1 advantage.

Clemson broke the game open with a five-run fourth. Okey, Pinder and Slaton recorded three consecutive singles to start the rally. With two outs, Duggar delivered a bases-clearing double to make it a 6-1 ballgame. Krieger tacked on an RBI double of his own to establish a 7-1 Tiger lead.

“We had a chance to get off the field with a 3-1 ballgame and they had a couple of big hits with two outs,” Pollard added. “That allowed them to pull away and create some separation.”

The Tigers' eighth and final run crossed home in the eighth. Clemson loaded the bases on a walk, single and hit by pitch before a balk call allowed the run to score.

Left-hander Zack Erwin (3-3) tossed 8.2 innings in the victory. After Duke scored the first-inning run, just one Blue Devil reached base against Erwin from the third through the eighth. Erwin struck out nine and walked two in the contest.

Duke's Andrew Istler (3-3) took the loss after permitting seven runs on nine hits over a season-low 3.2 innings. Istler recorded four strikeouts and gave up just one walk.

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