| WEB |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Feb. 16, 2007
CLEMSON, S.C. - Top-ranked Clemson totaled 20 hits, as it opened the 2007 season with a 14-0 win over George Mason Friday in front of 5,356 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. It was Clemson's first shutout in a season opener since February 16, 1996, when the Tigers blanked South Florida 4-0. It was also the most runs for Clemson in a season opener since 1989.
The Tigers moved to 1-0 with the victory in game one of the series, and the Patriots fell to 0-1.
P.J. Zocchi (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the Tigers. The Bronx, NY native allowed only one hit in 6.0 innings while he struck out six and did not walk a batter. Zocchi improved to 8-0 in his career as well. D.J. Mitchell and Stephen Clyne combined to pitch the final 3.0 innings without allowing a run. J.J. Pannell (0-1) took the loss for George Mason as he allowed five runs (two earned) on 10 hits in 6.0 innings of work.
Brad Chalk, Taylor Harbin, and Doug Hogan all tallied three hits apiece. Hogan, a first-year starter who entered the season with just one career home run, belted two homers. Chalk also extended his hitting streak to 17 games, which included the last 16 games of 2006.
In the first three innings Clemson scored four runs, three of which were unearned thanks to three Patriot errors. Hogan then gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning with the first of his two homers.
Clemson put the game out of reach with eight runs in the seventh inning. Harbin had a two-run double and Andy D'Alessio added a two-run single to highlight the uprising.
Hogan hit his second homer of the game, a towering solo shot to left field, in the eighth inning to cap the scoring.
The Tigers improved to 10-4 in season openers and 11-3 in home openers under Head Coach Jack Leggett.
The series continues at 2 p.m. Saturday.
|
|
 |
