Clemson Blows Six-Run Lead, Loses to Coastal
Coastal Carolina rallied late to beat Clemson 11-9 Tuesday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Chanticleers scored five runs in the seventh and two in the eighth. Clemson blew a six-run lead before losing to No. 15 Coastal Carolina.
Key plays and scoring
Coastal struck first against Clemson starter Dane Moehler. Rex Watson homered for a quick 3-0 lead. It was Watson’s eighth long ball of the season.
Clemson answered over the next four innings. Jack Crighton had an RBI single in the second. A sac fly by Ty Dalley and a throwing error produced runs in the third.
The Tigers sent a crooked number across in the fourth. Nate Savoie delivered an RBI single to tie the game. Jacob Jarrell hit a two-run homer, his team-leading 11th of the year. Tyler Lichtenberger added another RBI to make it 7-3.
Dalley later launched a 405-foot, two-run homer in the sixth. Jason Fultz followed with an RBI triple to extend the lead to 9-3.
Coastal’s late comeback
Coastal loaded the bases in the seventh. An infield single and a bases-loaded walk cut the gap. A collision between the first-base umpire and Crighton allowed two more runs to score.
In the eighth, a squeeze bunt tied the game. Walker Mitchell was thrown out at first for the second out. A fielding error by Jay Dillard at second pushed Coastal ahead 10-9.
The Chanticleers added an unearned run on a ninth-inning sac fly to finish the scoring at 11-9.
Individual performances
Jacob Jarrell and Ty Dalley hit home runs for Clemson. Every starter but one recorded at least one RBI.
Jack Crighton went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Freshman reliever Dylan Harrison entered to start the second inning. He held Coastal scoreless for three innings and struck out four.
Pitching and misc. statistics
Clemson pitchers struck out 14 batters in the game. They also issued six walks and hit six batters. Those 12 free passes proved costly in a close affair.
Records and what’s next
The loss dropped Clemson to 18-8. Coastal improved to 17-7 and remained ranked No. 15.
Clemson opens a three-game series Thursday at Doug Kingsmore. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. The game will air on the ACC Network.
Report prepared for Filmogaz.com.
