No. 2 Clemson Rallies Past No. 25 Kansas, 4-3
March 12, 2006
Clemson, S.C. –
The second-ranked Clemson Tigers scored two runs in the eighth inning to defeat No. 25 Kansas, 4-3, in the rubber match of a three-game series in Clemson, S.C. With the loss, KU drops to 15-6 on the season while CU improves to 10-3.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Senior Don Czyz inherited the bases load and one out in the eighth inning. After working a 2-2 count, Czyz threw a wild pitch allowing Clemson to take a 3-2 lead. After striking out the next batter, Czyz threw another wild pitch to give CU a two run advantage.
KU scored one run in the ninth inning but had its rally stopped short. Senior Jared Schweitzer laced a one-out double to left field and Gus Milner followed with a walk. Schweitzer scored on a groundout to second base by John Allman. Sophomore Erik Morrison struck out swinging to end the game.
Senior Kodiak Quick started and pitched seven innings, scattering 11 hits. He struck out four Tigers while allowing two runs.
Morrison drilled a two-run homer beyond the left field wall to give KU a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. Allman led off the inning with a single. After fouling off two straight bunt attempts, Morrison worked the count to two balls and two strikes before hitting his fifth home run of the season.
Clemson responded with three singles to score its first run in its half of the fifth inning. The Tigers then tied the game in the seventh.
Andy D’Alessio led off the frame with a double to left and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Herman Demmink hit a line drive that deflected of Quick and landed between second base and short for an RBI single.
Freshman Andy Marks came in relief of Quick to start the eighth inning and walked the first batter before being taken out for junior Ryotaro Hayakawa. After recording an out, Hayakawa hit and walked a batter to load the bases. Don Czyz then entered the game with the bases loaded and one out. The winning run was put on by Marks giving the freshman his first career loss.
Centerfielder Kyle Murphy kept Clemson off the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning by throwing out a potential run at the plate. Junior catcher Dylan Parzyk applied a sweeping tag on a sliding Herman Demmink — who led off the inning with a single — for the third out.
Clemson’s starter Stephen Faris struck out 10 Jayhawks in seven innings of work. Daniel Moskos picked up his first win for the Tigers while Steven Richard earned his third save.
The Jayhawks will open its Big 12 schedule on Friday, March 17 against Baylor in Waco, Texas. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Game Notes: Kansas is now 3-4 this season against top 10 teams and 12-15 under coach Ritch Price … Kansas is now 2-2 all-time against Clemson.
