OFFICIAL GAME 1 THREAD: #8 CLEMSON at Virginia

CUTrevor 2018-04-27 10:27:15


CLEMSON, S.C. - The Tigers play their final games before final exams when they travel to Charlottesville, Va., for a series at Virginia this weekend.

SERIES SETUP
• Who - Clemson (31-11, 14-7 ACC) vs. Virginia (24-17, 9-12 ACC)
• Best Rankings - CU - No. 8 Perfect Game; UVA - NR
• Where - Charlottesville, Va. (Disharoon Park)
• Watch - ACC Network Extra
• Video Announcers - Alex Close, Channing Poole
• Listen (Radio) - WCCP (105.5 FM), ESPN Upstate
• Listen (Internet) -ClemsonTigers.com, TuneIn
• Live Stats - ClemsonTigers.com
• Social Media - ClemsonBaseball

SERIES HISTORY
• Overall Record - Clemson leads 107-54 (1955-17)
• Record at Virginia - Clemson leads 41-29 (1956-14)

STARTING PITCHERS
• Friday - LHP Jacob Hennessy (CU) vs. RHP Derek Casey (UVA)
• Saturday - RHP Brooks Crawford (CU) vs. LHP Daniel Lynch (UVA)
• Sunday - LHP Jake Higginbotham (CU) vs. RHP Noah Murdock (UVA)

CLEMSON OVERVIEW
• Clemson, who has won five games in a row, won both midweek home games (Kennesaw State, Presbyterian College) after sweeping Wake Forest.
• The Tigers are averaging 6.1 runs per game and hitting .251 with a .374 on-base percentage and 35 steals.
• The pitching staff has a 3.45 ERA, .237 opponents’ batting average and 2.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio and Clemson is fielding .976.

VIRGINIA OVERVIEW
• Virginia is led by 15th-year head coach Brian O’Connor.
• The Cavaliers won two of three games at Louisville last weekend. They are hitting .271 and have a 3.75 ERA and .970 fielding percentage.
• Andy Weber is hitting .359 with 16 doubles, two triples, three homers and 37 RBIs, while Tanner Morris is batting .309.

QUICK HITS
• Clemson is 17-2 when it outhits the opponent and 14-9 when it does not outhit the opponent.
• Clemson is hitting .312 during its five-game winning streak.
• Clemson had a season-high six stolen bases against Presbyterian College on Wednesday night.

WINNING SEASONS THE NORM
• The Tigers have had a winning record every year since 1965.
• With its 31-11 record in 2018, Clemson is guaranteed of having a winning record for the 54th season in a row.
• Clemson’s 54-year streak is the third-longest active streak in the nation, trailing two ACC schools (Florida State 70, Miami (Fla.) 60).
• Clemson has had a non-losing record, which includes seasons with equal number of wins and losses, every season since 1958.
• Bill Wilhelm took over as head coach of the Clemson program in 1958, therefore the Tigers have not had a losing record since he took over.
• Clemson’s 61-year streak of non-losing records is tied for the second-longest active streak in the nation, trailing only Florida State (71).

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 16:09:52



The Tigers split with UVA 2-2 last season, winning the regular season series 2 out of 3 but losing the meeting in the ACC Tournament. The Tigers beat the Hoos in the ACC Tournament the prior season en route to their ACC Championship in Monte's first season.

UVA is not nearly as good this season as they have been in recent years, but they did just beat Louisville 2 out of 3 on the road last week. They are not a prolific home run hitting team but have a pretty decent pitching staff. Hopefully the Tigers will remain hot and win at least 2 this weekend on the road! They might have to do it without Kier Meredith, though. Monte told us the other night that he is banged up and may not be available. It will be interesting to see if Sam Hall earned himself another start at 3rd with his performance on Wednesday night in his first career start. Wilkie has hit homers in the last 2 games, and over the last 8 games he is .467 with 3 homers and 10 RBI's! Hope he stays hot and doesn't go through a long cold streak like we've seen from him in the past.

UVA has a tough park in which to hit home runs, so that is a disadvantage for the Tigers as the long ball is such a big part of their offense. Clemson is #4 in the nation in homers per game at 1.45. Kentucky is #1 at 1.51. #1 Florida is just ahead of the Tigers at 1.48.







Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 16:49:04


As I feared, Meredith is not in the lineup tonight. Sam Hall will get his 2nd start but in left with Byrd at 3rd. First time Byrd has been in the field in about a month. He was injured for a week or two and has been used at DH in recent games. Jolly will DH tonight and Greene will lead off again.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:11:00


Yikes Greene and Davidson both strike out swinging to start the game.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:11:14


Beer 2-out walk on a full count.


Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:12:03


Williams single! 2 on with 2 outs for Byrd, who homered on Wednesday.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:15:25


Byrd grounds out to end the inning.

SCORELESS M1.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:21:50


Hennessy gives up a 2-out single to Weber, the best hitter in the UVA lineup at .363.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:22:34


Ugh runner to 2nd on a wild pitch. RISP with 2 outs.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:22:57


Hennessy gets an infield fly to end the inning!

SCORELESS AFTER ONE.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:26:22


Wilkie chopper to 3rd to start the 2nd.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:30:18


Jolly walks and steals 2nd! Might be his first career steal. Lol he's pretty slow. Monte has been more aggressive on the base paths lately. The Tigers had a season high 6 stolen bases on Wednesday. RISP with one out for Wharton.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:33:04


Wharton strikes out swinging. RISP for Hall, who is making his 2nd start and was 2-3 in his first start on Wednesday.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:33:43


Ugh Hall grounds out. Tigers are 0-3 with RISP in the first 2 innings.

SCORELESS M2.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:38:40


Hennessy goes 1-2-3 with 2 K's!

SCORELESS AFTER 2.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:43:17


Greene grounds out to start the 3rd.


Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:43:53


Ugh Davidson robbed of an opposite field homer. He came close twice on Wednesday as well.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:48:16


BEER RUN!!! Solo homer to right for his 12th of the season and 2nd in consecutive games puts the Tigers on the board with 2 outs in the 3rd! He moves one ahead of Williams for the team lead. Very close to back-to-back homers for the 4th time this season. Davidson was robbed of one to left just before Beer's.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:48:43


Williams strikes out swinging to end the inning.

TIGERS LEAD 1-0 M3.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:50:35


Hennessy gives up a leadoff single. Here comes a bunt. McDonald loves small ball.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:51:06


Right on cue, clinical sac bunt moves the runner to 2nd. RISP with one out.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:54:19


Ugh single gives Cavs corners with one out for their #2 hitter and their .363 hitter on deck.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:55:23


Good grief Cavs tie the game on a wild pitch. I can't tell you how many runs they've given up this season on wild pitches and passed balls! Too many to count. Man on 2nd with one out.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:56:10


Fly for the second out.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 17:57:45


Ugh single to right by Weber puts Cavs ahead 2-1. Bad throw home by Beer, runner to 2nd. Weber is 2-2 tonight and now .367 on the season.


Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:00:45


Web gem by Davidson! Leaping catch on line drive possibly saved another run. But Hennessy gave the lead right back.

TIGERS TRAIL 2-1 AFTER 3.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:02:52


Byrd leadoff double standing up!

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:04:14


WILKIE DELIVERS AGAIN!!! Inside out single to right scores Byrd from 2nd to tie the game! One on for Jolly with no outs.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:10:21


Jolly single on 1-2 through the right side! Great at bat, fouling off 3 or 4 pitches and gritting out a base hit. Jolly needed that one. He was hitless on Wednesday. Hopefully that gets him going! 2 on with no outs for Wharton.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:12:19


Wharton sac bunt movers the runners to 2nd and 3rd. One out for Hall with 2 RISP. He grounded out last time with an RISP. Big spot here for the freshman in his second start! Put it in the outfield.


Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:15:22


HALL DELIVERS!!! Grounder up the middle scores Wilkie for the lead. He had a big 2-out RBI for the Tigers' first run in his first start on Wednesday! Man on 3rd with 2 outs for Greene.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:17:21


Greene strikes out swinging on full count to strand Jolly at 3rd, but the Tigers regain the lead.

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 M4.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:22:43


Hennessy goes 1-2-3 with a K!

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 AFTER 4.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:26:32


Davidson leadoff double! Second straight inning with a stand-up leadoff double for the Tigers. Davidson has been crushing the ball lately and robbed a few times. RISP for Beer, who homered last time and walked in the 1st.



Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:27:29


Beer grounds out to 1st, Davidson to 3rd. RISP with one out for Williams, who struck out last time.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:29:18


Ugh Davidson tries to tag on a shallow fly by Williams, and he's thrown out at the plate.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:30:37


Call is being reviewed. Looks like Davidson might have dodged the tag, but I don't think it's definitive enough to overturn.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:31:43


Umps stick with the call on the field. Davidson out at home to end the inning. Leadoff double wasted. Tigers' base running has been very spotty last few games.

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 M5.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:37:57


Beer makes a catch at the track for the first out.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:39:32


Hennessy stabs a comebacker to go 1-2-3 for the second straight inning!

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 AFTER 5.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:40:37


Wilkie remains red hot with a one-out single! He's 2-3 tonight.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:45:10


Jolly flies out and Wharton strikes out to end the inning. Tigers have had at least one base runner in every inning. They are 17-2 this season when out-hitting opponents.

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 M6.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:48:35


Strider starts the 6th. He had a few good innings for the win on Tuesday.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:49:18


Ugh Strider hits the batter with one out, but at least it was their best hitter, Weber, who was 2-2 tonight. Lol

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 18:59:51


Weber steals 2nd. RISP with one out.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:00:06


Strider gives up a walk. 2 on with one out.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:00:39


Strider gets the next 2 to fly out!

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 AFTER 6.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:02:57


Davidson 2-out double! His second straight double gives Beer an insurance RISP.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:03:35


Pitching change for UVA.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:07:46


I'd be surprised if Beer doesn't walk here. They're gonna be really careful with him with 1st base empty.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:08:12


Indeed, they intentionally walk Beer. Lol 2 on with 2 outs for Williams. Need a big hit for an insurance run! Williams is 1-3 tonight. Good righty on lefty matchup for the Tigers.



Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:11:31


Ugh Williams strikes out swinging on 3 pitches. Tigers have been terrible with RISP tonight.

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 AT THE STRETCH.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:17:26


Ryan Miller in to pitch the 7th. Teo comes in at center for defensive purposes, Wharton to left, Hall out.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:17:50


Miller gives up a one-out walk.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:18:28


Force at 2nd for the 2nd out!

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:22:38


Runner caught stealing to end the inning!

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 AFTER 7.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:25:51


Wilkie, Byrd and Jolly all strike out. That's 4 straight K's for this guy after coming in and intentionally walking Beer. Lol shows you the respect for Beer!

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 M8.


Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:33:39


Miller retires the first 2 batters of the 8th, and Monte brings in closer Gilliam from the pen to face the best hitter in the lineup, Weber, who is 2-2 with a HBP. Hope he has his stuff tonight! Tigers 4 outs away from a big road win.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:35:07


Line drive to Davidson ends the inning, 1-2-3!

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 HEADED TO THE 9TH.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:42:24


Teo one-out double! First hit for him in forever. He was brought in for his defense, but now the Tigers have a huge opportunity for an insurance run with Greene up and Davidson, who has doubled the last two at bats, on deck. Tigers have not been good with RISP tonight.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:43:48


Greene strikes out swinging on full count for the second time. 5th K in 7 batters for this pitcher. Insurance RISP with 2 outs for Davidson, who doubled his last 2 at bats.


Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:46:14


Ugh Davidson strikes out swinging to strand Teo at 2nd. This Abbott guy has tremendous stuff! 6 K's in the 8 batters he has faced since coming in and intentionally walking Beer. Glad he wasn't the starter! If the Tigers can use up his arm and hang on for the Friday win it would be huge!

TIGERS LEAD 3-2 M9.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:54:04


Gilliam strikes out the first batter but gives up a one-out single. Winning run at the plate.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:54:32


Gilliam gets a fly for the second out! One more to go!

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:55:10


Ugh runner steals 2nd on a 1-2 count. Tying run in scoring position!

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 19:57:12


Fly to left ends the game!

TIGERS WIN 3-2!!!

Tough one-run road win for the Tigers' 6th straight win. They were just 1-11 with RISP, but great job by Strider, Miller and Gilliam, blanking the Cavs out of the pen! Beer homered for the second straight game to take the team lead with 12. Wilkie continued his hot streak, going 2-4 with his 11th RBI in 9 games!

Incidentally, Leggett was 3-13 versus UVA in his last 16 meetings. Monte Lee is now 4-2 against the 'Hoos, including an ACC Tourney win in his first season when UVA was Defending National Champ.

The Tigers are 10-3 this season in one-run games.



Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-27 20:51:40


CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - Four Tiger pitchers combined to allow only five hits in No. 8 Clemson's 3-2 victory over Virginia at Disharoon Park on Friday night. The Tigers, who took a 1-0 lead in the series, improved to 32-11 overall and 15-7 in the ACC. The Cavaliers dropped to 24-18 overall and 9-13 in ACC play.

Clemson starter Jacob Hennessy (4-2) earned the win, as he gave up four hits, two runs and no walks with three strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched. Spencer Strider (1.0 innings) and Ryan Miller (1.2 innings) had scoreless stints, then Ryley Gilliam pitched the final 1.1 innings to record his eighth save of the year. Virginia starter Derek Casey (5-3) suffered the loss, as he surrendered eight hits, three runs and two walks with six strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched.

Seth Beer scored the game's first run on his 12th homer of the season in the top of the third inning, then Virginia scored two runs on three singles in the bottom of the third inning. Clemson regained the lead with two runs in the fourth inning on Kyle Wilkie's run-scoring single and Sam Hall's RBI groundout.

The series continues Saturday at 4 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

Reply
CUTrevor 2018-04-28 13:27:28


Reply