April 9, 2003
CLEMSON, S.C. – Michael Johnson hit a three-run HR and Jason Berken worked six and 2/3 innings to earn his fourth win as Clemson held on to defeat South Carolina 4-2 on Wednesday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The loss drops South Carolina’s record to 20-13 on the year while the win improves Clemson to 24-7 on the season.
Berken allowed just two runs on seven hits while striking out seven batters and walking one. Berken improves to 4-1 on the season. South Carolina starter Chris Hernandez worked his longest outing of the season, going seven 1/3 innings and allowing just three runs on six hits. Hernandez struck out five batters and walked two and his record is now 2-2 on the year.
Carolina opened a 1-0 lead on Clemson in the second inning. Singles from Trey McDaniel and Justin Harris and a sacrifice bunt from Michael Campbell put runners at second and third with one out. Freshman Steven Tolleson knocked a bloop single to right field to score McDaniel and give the Gamecocks a one-run lead. Berken was able to get out of the inning allowing just one run as Jon Coutlangus grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the top half of the second.
The game remained at 1-0 until the bottom half of the fifth inning when the Tigers took their first lead of the game. With two outs and runners on the corners, Johnson knocked a 2-1 pitch from Hernandez over the right field fence for his sixth home run of the year.
With the Tigers up 3-1, Carolina cut the deficit to one run in the top of the seventh inning. McDaniel led off the inning with a walk and advance to second on a balk by Berken. After a fly out by Harris to right field that advanced McDaniel to third, Campbell singled to left center field to score McDaniel. Clemson came back in the eighth as Ryan Hub’s sacrifice bunt scored Kyle Frank and gave the Tigers a 4-2 run lead.
South Carolina concludes its seven-game road swing with a weekend SEC series at Florida. The Gamecocks enter the weekend just one half game behind Florida for first place in the SEC Eastern Division. First pitch on Friday night is set for 6:30 p.m. with live stats and live audio available at USCSPORTS.COM.
