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Nine-Run Cavalier Sixth Inning Downs #2 Clemson, 10-2
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March 18, 2006
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – – Tom Hagan and Brandon Guyer combined to go 6-for-9 with four RBI and Virginia exploded for nine runs with two outs in the bottom of the sixth as the Cavaliers took the second game of the ACC series with No. 2 Clemson, 10-2, Saturday afternoon in front of 1,869 fans at Davenport Field at the UVa Baseball Stadium. Freshman right-hander Jacob Thompson (5-0) held the Tigers (11-5, 0-2 ACC) to two runs on six hits in seven innings in picking up his fifth win of the season. The Cavaliers (18-4, 3-2 ACC) extended their home-winning streak to 13 games and pounded out 15 hits, all singles, in the game.
“That was a great performance by Jacob Thompson on the mound against one of the top teams in the country. He’s only a freshman, but he’s been calm and pitched his game all season, which is tremendous for a first-year player in this league,” UVa head baseball coach Brian O’Connor said. “It’s not often that you see a team score nine runs with two outs in an inning. Our guys have been swinging the bat well all season and know how important this series is, especially on our home field. I was very happy with the way we played today.”
Hagan was 3-for-4 with one run and two RBI while Guyer delivered a 3-for-5 two RBI performance. Sean Doolittle went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI, while Greg Miclat was 2-for-4 with two RBI for the Cavaliers. Jeremy Farrell went 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Shooter Hunt tossed the final two innings for the Cavaliers and struck out one. Jason Berken suffered his second loss of the season as he lasted 5 2/3 innings allowing two earned runs on eight hits and had three strikeouts. Brad Chalk and Tyler Colvin both had a pair of hits for the Tigers.
Virginia actually repeated history. The Cavaliers scored nine runs with two outs in O’Connor’s first season in a 13-2 nonconference win over Brown on Mar. 30, 2004.
Against Clemson in the sixth inning, Farrell singled up the middle to lead off the inning. Beau Seabury’s sacrifice bunt moved him over to second and a ground out by Miclat gave the Tigers two outs in the innings. After back-to-back walks were issued to Tim Henry and Brandon Marsh, Doolittle singled up the middle scoring two runs for a 3-1 lead. Clemson’s third walk of the inning loaded the bases again for Guyer, who hit a two-run single up the middle for a 5-1 UVa lead. Hagan and Farrell both followed with back-to-back RBI singles as UVa built a 7-1 lead. Seabury’s bloop single to right field scored one more Cavalier run, before Miclat’s two-run single allowed Seabury and Farrell to score as UVa led, 10-1. Both runs were unearned after back-to-back errors by the Tigers. Virginia scored nine runs on seven hits and three Tiger errors in the sixth.
Travis Storrer’s two-out RBI single pulled the Tigers within, 10-2, in the top of the eighth.
Virginia took the early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Hagan drove in Doolittle for the game’s first run. Clemson answered in the top of the fourth. Colvin singled up the middle moved to second on a bunt and scored on Andy D’Alessio’s ground out tying the game, 1-1.
Virginia and Clemson will wrap up their three-game series Sunday at 1p.m. Senior lefty Mike Ballard (3-1, 1.93 ERA) will face Clemson’s RHP Stephen Faris (1-0, 1.80 ERA).