CLEMSON, SC UNC Greensboro held a ninth-inning lead over No. 24 Clemson, but one out away from a Spartan victory, a wild play gave the Tigers a 6-5 win.
Unlike Tuesday's game where Clemson raced out to an 11-0 lead before UNCG rallied to put the tying run on in the ninth, Wednesday's match-up between the Spartans (8-5) and Tigers (9-4) started out in the hands of UNCG. A left field single by shortstop Matt Gaski brought catcher Adam Deleo in from second to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
Ricky Orton opened up the fourth inning with a home run to give UNCG a 2-0 lead, but Clemson responded with an unearned run in the bottom half of the inning.
UNCG's second home run of the game put them ahead, 4-1, in the fifth. Designated hitter Greg Feltes cranked his fourth home run of the season over the centerfield fence to score third baseman Ray Quinones.
Quinones gave the Spartans a 5-1 lead two innings later. He led off the seventh inning with a double to right center. A sacrifice bunt down the third base line by Tim Carrier put the New York native on third base. Gaski then followed with his second RBI of the game on a single through the right side to bring in Quinones and put the Spartans up, 5-1.
But Clemson rallied late. A solo home run by the Tigers' John Nestor in the bottom of the eighth inning cut the Spartan lead down to three. Another solo to lead off the ninth by Ben Paulsen cut the lead to 5-3.
Clemson then won it on a wild play. With two outs and the bases loaded, Stan Widmann smacked a two-run single to left to tie the game. As the second runner hit the plate, there was a collision and the throw in from left sailed to the backstop. That allowed Alex Lee to race home just ahead of a relay from the backstop and score all the way from first with the game-winner.
At the plate, UNCG was led by Matt Gaski, Ricky Orton, and Ray Quinones who all went 2-for-4. Gaski added two RBI, Orton a run and an RBI, and Quinones two runs. Three Clemson batters were 1-for-3.
The Tiger's Matt Zoltak (2-0) after coming to the mound in the ninth. UNCG Rob Gilliam (1-3) took the tough-luck loss.
The Spartans are back at home Saturday afternoon for the first game of a three-game series against Princeton. First pitch for game one is set for 1pm. Sunday's game will start at 1pm with a 6pm start to follow on Monday.
For more news on UNCG baseball, ticket prices, a complete season schedule, and all other Spartan athletic information log onto www.UNCGSpartans.com.
# # UNCG # #
UNC Greensboro 5, No. 24 Clemson 6 (Mar 12, 2008 at Clemson, SC)
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UNC Greensboro......... 001 120 100 - 5 9 1
Clemson............... 000 100 004 - 6 6 0
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Pitchers: UNC Greensboro Gibbs; Shelton (4); McCall (7); Gilliam (8)
Clemson Gullickson; Sarratt (5); Mitchell (7); Zoltak (9)
Win Matt Zoltak (2-0
Save None
Loss Rob Gilliam (1-3)
