April 12, 2006
Clemson, S.C. – Fifth ranked Clemson scored eight runs in the first four innings on its way to a 10-5 win over seventh ranked South Carolina on Wednesday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. All nine Clemson batters in the starting lineup reached base at least once with Tyler Colvin and Andy D’Alessio each driving in two runs to lead the Tiger offense. Clemson improves to 26-8 while the loss drops Carolina’s record to 27-7 on the year.
Clemson starting pitcher David Kopp picked up the win after six innings of work allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts and one walk. He is 2-0 this season. South Carolina starting pitcher Andrew Cruse lasted only one inning and suffered his first loss of the season. Cruse allowed three runs on three hits. He is now 3-1 on the year.
Clemson went ahead early with three runs in the first inning on a pair two-out RBI hits from Andy D’Alessio and Marquez Smith. D’Alessio gave Clemson hit a two-run line drive double off the glove of first baseman Justin Smoak and into right field. Smith then extended the Clemson lead to 3-0 on a RBI single to left field that scored D’Alessio.
Clemson would increase the lead to 5-0 with two more runs in the second inning. Herman Demmink hit a one-out RBI single to center scoring Stan Widmann, who reached base to lead off the frame on an infield single. Demmink scored the fifth run then on a Brad Chalk’s RBI double down the left field line.
Carolina got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. Neil Giesler reached base on a hit by pitch and advanced to third on a Reese Havens’ second single of the game. Giesler would score the Gamecocks first run of the game on a RBI fielder’s choice courtesy of Drew Martin. Clemson would stretch the lead to seven runs in the bottom half of the fourth though with a solo homer from Adrian Casanova and a two-run RBI triple from Tyler Colvin highlighting the inning. The Tigers would go ahead 10-1 then in the sixth inning on a pair of two-out RBI hits from Travis Storrer and Stan Widmann.
South Carolina scored a single run in the seventh inning and two runs in the eighth inning with a RBI from Michael Campbell, a RBI single from Ian Paxton and a RBI double by Justin Smoak. The last Carolina run came in the ninth inning on a solo homer from James Darnell.
Havens was 3-for-4 with a run scored to lead South Carolina at the plate. He also tied a season-high in hits with three for the third time this season. Over the last four games, the freshman shortstop has batted 8-for-13 for the Gamecocks. Freshman first baseman Justin Smoak and freshman infielder James Darnell also had two hits apiece.
The Gamecocks return home this weekend for a three-game series with Ole Miss beginning on Friday night (April 14) at 7 pm at Sarge Frye Field. Saturday’s game is set for 4 pm and will be televised live on SEC-TV/Fox Sports Net South. First pitch for the Sunday finale is 1:30 pm. All three games are available on the Gamecock Radio Network with Mike Morgan and Tommy Moody calling the action. Live audio and live gametracker stats are also available at uscsports.com.
