Tigers Sweep Pacific

Marquez Smith and Brad Chalk combine for five hits and four RBIs in the win.

Junior righthander David Kopp allowed no earned runs over 5.0 innings pitched, while Marquez Smith's three-run homer in the fifth inning helped #2 Clemson to a 5-4 victory over Pacific in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon in front of 5,342 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

David Kopp (1-0) pitched 5.0 innings, allowing only two unearned runs and struck out six with two walks to earn the victory for Clemson. Hunter Carnevale surrendered five runs on eight hits in 6.0 innings pitched and took the loss for Pacific, falling to 2-2. Sophomore Matt Vaughn worked 2.0 solid innings and picked up his first save of the season for Clemson.

Offensively, Clemson (6-1) pounded out 10 hits, as four Clemson Tigers tallied multiple hits, in leading Clemson to the series sweep. Smith hit his second home run of the season and Chalk went 3-for-3 to lead Clemson's balanced attack.

Pacific (4-9) scored two runs in the third inning to take a 2-0 lead. Joe Oliveira reached on an error and came around to score on a wild pitch. Zach Chamberlin later reached on an infield single, plating Joey Centanni.

Clemson responded with one run in both the third and fourth innings. Tim Morris walked to lead off the third and Addison Johnson followed with a one-out single to left center but was thrown out at second as Morris advanced to third. With two outs Chalk singled to right field, plating Morris.

In the fourth inning with two outs, Wilson Boyd doubled down the right-field line followed by Doug Hogan's triple to plate Boyd to tie the score 2-2.

Clemson took the lead in the fifth inning, beginning with Chalk's double to right field with one out. Andy D'Alessio reached on a walk and with two outs, Marquez Smith hit a three-run home run to left field on an 0-2 pitch.

Pacific answered right back in the eighth as Kurt Wideman led off with a double to right center. Back-to-back pinch hitters reached base, Jason Haar on a walk and Noah St. Urbain on a throwing error by relief pitcher Chris Fidrych. Wideman scored on a sacrifice fly by Oliveira. Centanni doubled down the left-field line to score pinch runner Matt Fuson. With Pacific threatening to tie the score, Vaughn struck out the next two batters, ending the inning.

The Tigers return to action Wednesday at 4:00 PM when they play host to Winthrop at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.