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Marsh's Sacrifice Fly Lifts UVa Over #2 Clemson, 2-1
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March 17, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – – Brandon Marsh’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth scored Tim Henry for the game-winning run and Sean Doolittle held No. 2 Clemson (11-4, 0-1 ACC) to four hits while striking out a career-high nine batters in eight solid innings as Virginia knocked off the Tigers, 2-1, Friday evening in the first game of the Atlantic Coast Conference series at Davenport Field. Marsh led the Cavaliers (17-4, 2-2 ACC) at the plate going 2-for-4 with two RBI while Henry also added two hits for the Cavs, who out-hit the Tigers, 8-4.
“What a great way to start off the weekend,” UVa Baseball Head Coach Brian O’Connor said. “We moved Sean to Friday night, hoping he could set the tone for our weekends. He’s been good for us all season and he responded with a great performance. Our guys faced one of the top pitching staffs in the country and didn’t back down. Brandon (Marsh) has been a nice addition to our club. He’s done everything we’ve asked of him. It was only fitting that he brought in the winning run.”
Doolittle turned out a career performance going a career-high eight innings with the nine strikeouts in earning the no decision. Casey Lambert (1-1) relieved him in the ninth and pitched one scoreless inning to get the win. Lambert had one strikeout. Daniel Moskos (1-2) suffered the loss for the Tigers, as he allowed one run, unearned, on three hits in 2 2/3 innings. Josh Cribb started the game for the Tigers. Cribb struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings, while giving up only one run on five hits.
Henry drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the ninth. He stole second and reached third on a throwing error by the catcher. Marsh sent a fly ball deep to left field, allowing Henry to score the game-winner.
The Cavaliers loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh on back-to-back singles from Henry and Marsh. After Doolittle walked, David Adams hit a line drive down the left field line, but Clemson third baseman Herman Demmink snagged it for the third out of the inning.
Virginia tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on Marsh’s first RBI of the game. Greg Miclat doubled down the left field line. With two outs, Marsh doubled to the gap in right center scoring Miclat to make it, 1-1.
Clemson took the 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Herman Demmink walked and moved to second on Brad Chalk’s ground out. Taylor Harbin’s bunt single gave the Tigers runners on the corners. Tyler Colvin’s single to center field scored Demmink for the games first run.
Doolittle, Adams, Tom Hagan and Miclat each finished with one hit. Harbin, Colvin, Andy D’Alessio and Adrian Casanova each had one hit for the Tigers.
Virginia and Clemson will continue their three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. Freshman right-hander Jacob Thompson (4-0, 2.01 ERA) will face Clemson RHP Jason Berken (2-1, 2.70 ERA).