April 7, 2004
Clemson, S.C. – Josh Cribb threw five scoreless innings of relief and 23rd ranked Clemson scored eight unanswered runs as the Tigers rallied to defeat sixth ranked South Carolina 9-4 on Wednesday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. South Carolina’s record drops to 23-6 on the season while the Tigers improve to 18-10 on the year. Wednesday’s game was the first non-conference loss for the Gamecocks this season.
Cribb allowed just three hits and no runs while walking none and striking out four to pick up the win for Clemson Junior RHP Aaron Rawl took the loss for South Carolina in relief. Rawl went an inning and a 1/3 allowing three runs, two earned on six hits. Rawl is now 6-2 on the season.
Herman Demmink gave Clemson a 1-0 lead with a leadoff homer off USC starter Zac McCamie in the first inning. South Carolina would take its first lead of the game in the second inning with three runs off Clemon starter Kris Harvey. After a walk to Brendan Winn, designated hitter Ryan Mahoney launched his first career home run to right field. Bryan Triplett would score the third run of the game as Steve Pearce knocked a two-out RBI single to left field extending his hitting streak to nine games.
USC extended the lead to 4-1 in the third inning as a two-out RBI single from Tommy King scored Mahoney. Clemson would cut the Carolina lead to two runs in the fourth inning as a two-out RBI single from Russell Triplett took a bad hop over the glove of USC shortstop Bryan Triplett to score Lou Santangelo. Clemson crept within one run in the fifth inning as a RBI sacrifice fly from Brad McCann scored Garrick Evans.
Clemson went ahead 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth with two runs. Andy D’Alessio would hit a one-out double and score as Tony Sipp reached safely on a fielding error by third baseman Steve Pearce. Clemson scored its go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice from Demmink.
The Tigers added four runs in the seventh inning with a solo home run by Santangelo and RBI singles from Sipp, Evans and Demmink. Clemson finished the night with 15 hits including three from D’Alessio, Russell Triplett and Evans. Steve Pearce led USC with three hits.
South Carolina starting pitcher Zac McCamie went four and 2/3 innings and allowed three runs on five hits while striking out four and walking two batters. Clemson starter Kris Harvey worked three innings and allowed four runs on five hits while walking four and striking out one.
South Carolina baseball returns to the field on Friday evening at 7 p.m. as the Gamecocks host Florida in a three-game series at Sarge Frye Field. Saturday’s first pitch will be 3 p.m. with the game televised on Sunshine Network. Sunday’s finale is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
