Baseball
CLEMSON OFFENSE CONTINUES, BYRD REACHES ALL 5 TIMES WITH 2 HR's IN 17-3 WIN OVER THE CITADEL
- 2019-05-08 21:32:47
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CLEMSON, SC - The Tigers' 17-3 win over The Citadel on Wednesday was a much-needed shot in the arm after a couple bad losses to Gardner-Webb and PC. I asked Monte after the game if he was more pleased with the 17 runs or the 2 walks allowed by the pitchers, and he said the pitching by far. As I wrote last night, the Tigers have been hitting the ball well, scoring 88 runs in their last 10 games, but the pitching has been terrible across the board--primarily the walks and free passes. In the 12 previous games before tonight, the Tigers had allowed 61 walks.
The 11-run 4th was the most runs the Tigers have scored in an inning since scoring 17 against Notre Dame in the ACC Tournament last season. Byrd was unconscious tonight, reaching base all 5 times with 2 HR's and just a triple short of the first cycle ever for Clemson! I asked him after the game if he was actually hoping the second homer would stay in the park so he could get the triple, and he said the guys at home plate were telling him to miss the plate so it would be scored a triple. Byrd now has 6 HR's in the last 6 games, including two multi-HR games, and 11 for the season. He is 2 HR's behind Davidson for the team lead and leads the team in batting average at .328. Fairey also hit his first career HR, giving the Tigers 7 HR's in their last 2 games, and Fairey drove in 4 runs in the 4th inning.
The Tigers sorely needed this confidence boost before going on the road to play at No.17 NC State this weekend. If they get swept, they could actually be in jeopardy of not making the ACC Tournament because they are currently tied with Wake at 12-12 and host the Deacs in their last series of the season the weekend after next.
James Parker injured his leg going over the fence for a foul ball, and his status going forward is yet to be determined. Finally, I asked Monte if they will try to get a medical redshirt for Kier Meredith, who was batting .318 when he injured his leg back in March. Monte said that is a strong possibility because it is unlikely Meredith will play this season unless they make a run in the NCAA Tourney.
Post-game interviews with Monte, Byrd, Fairey and Lindley are below!
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