March 3, 2002
COLUMBIA, SC –
The No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks rallied to tie or take the lead three times against the No. 2 Clemson Tigers (6-0), including a two-out RBI double from Landon Powell in the top of the ninth, but a tenth inning double by Khalil Greene proved to be enough to overcome USC 11-10, in 10 innings. With the loss, South Carolina moves its record to 9-2 on the 2002 season. Drew Meyer finished 4-for-6 for the Gamecoks, , while Yaron Peters ended the day leading USC with three RBI.
Clemson broke out early on South Carolina starting pitcher Chris Spigner, scoring five runs in the first two innings. An RBI single by Jeff Baker in the first, and RBIs from Zane Green, L.J. Demaino, Kyle Frank and Kahlil Greene put Clemson on top 5-0.
South Carolina began its comeback in the top of the third inning, with Brian Buscher scoring USC’s first run. After a leadoff walk, Buscher advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a balk. Drew Meyer’s one-out single to right field scored Buscher to cut the lead to four.
The Gamecocks erupted for four runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game at five. Buscher led off the inning with a solo home run to move the score to 5-2. One-out singles by Drew Meyer and Steve Thomas set the table for senior Yaron Peters, who hit a three-run homer off of Clemson starter Matt Henrie, tying the game.
The Tigers responded in the bottom half of the inning with two more runs thanks in part to Michael Johnson hitting a two-run homer to center field.
South Carolina responded in the top of the sixth however. With Landon Powell on second and two out, Drew Meyer doubled to left field to score Powell and cut the lead in half.
Down 7-6, in the top of the seventh, South Carolina took its first lead of the day with back-to-back home runs from senior captain Garris Gonce and junior Justin Harris. Gonce now leads the Gamecocks in homers with five on the year.
With an 8-7 lead, the Tigers responded in the bottom half with Johnson hitting his second two-run homer of the day to put Clemson on top 9-8. Clemson would increase its lead to 10-8 in the bottom of the eighth, scoring on a wild pitch.
Down but not out, Carolina responded in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 10-10. Seniors Yaron Peters and Trey Dyson each led off with a walk to put runner on first and second. With two outs and pinch runners Kevin Melillo and Jason Ross on first and second respectively, Powell doubled to left field to score Peters and Dyson.
With two outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the 10th, Kahlil Greene doubled left center, with Kyle Frank scoring the winning run, narrowly beating the South Carolina relay throw from Meyer to home to give Clemson the 11-10 win. Freshman Matt Campbell took the hard-luck loss for USC and is now 0-1 on the year.
South Carolina returns home to Sarge Frye Field this Tuesday for a 7 p.m. home game vs. UNC-Asheville. Carolina also hosts William & Mary at 7 p.m. on Wednesday before a weekend home series vs. Seton Hall.
SOUTH CAROLINA 001 041 202 0 — 10-14-1
CLEMSON 140 020 210 1 – 11-13-1
