| WEB |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Feb. 23, 2008
Clemson, SC -
Senior catcher Doug Hogan lived up to his preseason billing and junior lefthander Ryan Hinson made a solid season debut, as they helped #13 Clemson to a 12-5 season-opening victory over Mercer in the first game of a doubleheader at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Saturday.
The Tigers moved to 1-0 with the victory in game-one of the series and the Bears fell to 0-1.
Hogan, who was tabbed a preseason third-team All-American and named to the watch list for the Golden Spikes Award, went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the sixth inning. Hogan extended his hitting streak to 16 games, stemming back from the season-ending 15-game streak in 2007.
Ryan Hinson (1-0) was in midseason form against the Bears, as he worked 5.0 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, and three walks with four strikeouts to up his career record to 11-2. Mercer starter Boone Webster (0-1) took the loss, as he allowed seven runs (three earned) in 4.0 innings pitched.
Clemson (1-0) scored two runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Stan Widmann, who was coming off a season-ending injury in 2007, singled to lead off the inning and Wilson Boyd followed with a towering two-run homer to left field.
The Bears (0-1) responded with two runs in the third inning to tie the score. Matthew Crawford led off the frame with a single to right, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler McCarty, and advanced to third on a double by Mike Armstrong. Crawford then scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Brown. Steven Karwatt then doubled to right, plating Armstong.
|
|
 |
The Tigers tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning, as Lee singled to left, plating both John Hinson and Epps.
Hogan highlighted the sixth inning with a towering two-run homer down the left-field line to put the Tigers ahead 11-2.
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, pinch-hitter Kyle Parker smacked his first career hit as a Tiger, a sharp single to center on the first pitch he saw. Parker then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Pinch-hitter Adam Ward drove him home with a single to left, upping the lead 12-2.
Mercer scored three runs in the ninth, but it was not enough to catch the Tigers.
Clemson, who totaled 16 hits, was led by Hogan (3-for-4) and Boyd (3-for-5), who each hit two-run homers. Lee had a 2-for-4 day with a career-high four RBIs. Epps had an impressive first appearance as a Tiger, as he went 3-for-3 with an RBI.
The Tigers and Bears will start the second game of the doubleheader at approximately 4:30 PM.
