CLEMSON, SC - The Tigers beat the Bulldogs 8-1 in Athens last week, but this one was a close game throughout. After an action-packed, back-and-forth contest through the first few innings, it turned into a pitchers' duel. Georgia took a 2-0 lead in the 1st on a walk and a 2-out HR after an 11-pitch battle by Reid. The Tigers answered in the bottom half with a double by Ingle and a 2-out game-tying double by Amick, who torched the Bulldogs in Athens last week, going 3-4 with a HR and 2 doubles. He went 2-4, and over the last 5 games, he has 10 hits, 5 doubles and 2 HR's!
The Tigers scored 2 more runs to take a 4-2 lead in the 2nd on a big 2-out single by Taylor. However, Hoffmann gave up a leadoff HR and a sac fly in the 3rd to tie the game 4-4. Bailey gave up a pair of doubles to start the 4th, putting the Bulldogs up 5-4, and that would be the end of the scoring, as both bullpens shut the offenses out. With 2 outs in the 9th, Cannarella singled, and Ingle ripped a double down the right field line, but Cannarella was thrown out at the plate in his bid to tie the game.
It was another home heartbreaker for the Tigers, who just can't seem to get over the hump in these close games. In all 4 of their one-run losses at home this season, they had the winning run on base in the 9th. The good news is that Ryan Ammons finally made his highly anticipated return on the mound. It was his first appearance since February 24 against UCF, and he was the Tigers' best pitcher at the time. Although he started the season as a weekend starter, he will now be used out of the pen and potentially be the Tigers' closer. Ammons pitched just 1.1 innings, as the Tigers used 7 pitchers on Tuesday, but he looked good and told me after the game that he feels 100 percent. With Clayton having emerged as a solid and steady middle reliever, the Tigers' bullpen is looking up! Olenchuk pitched well on Tuesday as well and has been much better in his last few outings after starting the season allowing 6 HR's in his first 7 innings. Bakich explained to me after the game some of the adjustments that Olenchuk has made toward his recent improvement.
The Tigers go back on the road this weekend to play a hot NC State team in the hopes of winning their 3rd straight ACC series. My post-game interviews are below!
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