By Trey McCurry.

By Trey McCurry

CLEMSON — Here is a look back at Clemson’s 10-5 win over Morehead State on Tuesday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

What happened?

The Tigers used a six-run fourth inning to come back from an early 3-1 deficit and cruise to a 10-5 win over the Eagles of Morehead State in the first game of a two-game midweek series. The win gave Jack Leggett his 1236th career win as a head coach, moving him into sole possession of 12th on the all-time Division I coaching wins list. 

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changing moment came in the bottom of the fourth inning. Trailing 3-2 entering the inning, Clemson had taken a 5-3 lead as Garrett Boulware came to the plate with two outs and two runners on base. Boulware sent a ball over the left field foul pole for his four homer of the season and give the Tigers a commanding 8-3 lead.   

Story Line:

After struggling early and finding themselves in a 3-2 hole, Clemson blew a close game open with six runs on only four hits in the fourth inning. 

Turning Point:

The game turned during the previously mentioned fourth inning as the Tiger bats came to life. Jon McGibbon led off with an infield single, Jay Baum walked, and Thomas Brittle reached on a bunt single to load the bases. After a Tyler Krieger hit-by-pitch tied the game, Tyler Slaton hit a sac fly to give Clemson its first lead. Steven Duggar singled to again load the bases and Steve Wilkerson had an RBI groundout to add to the Tiger lead. Boulware’s blast ended the scoring for the inning and Clemson earned their 12th win of the season. 

What went right?

Leggett again tweaked the lineup and the team responded. The Tigers tallied 12 hits in the game and seven of the nine starters recorded a hit. Mike Kent also had an excellent outing out of the bullpen, allowing only three hits and recording four strikeouts in 3.0 innings. Clemson’s infield also turned two early double plays in the contest. 

What went wrong?

Matthew Crownover struggled early on the mound, allowing three runs on five hits in 3.0 innings. The Tigers also seemed to go into a bit of a lull following their six-run inning as they managed only three hits over the final four at-bats. 

They said it.

Clemson Head Coach Jack Leggett

“He (Slaton) had two hits and a sacrifice fly and put two other balls on the ground that were hit hard to second base. If he can just keep putting balls in play and being aggressive like that and keep playing the defense he plays in the outfield, he will do a good job for us.”

Clemson Outfielder Tyler Slaton

“When I got to the field today and saw I was up in the one hole, to be honest with you, I was kind of shocked. When you are up in the one, you have to make the most of it. You have to get on base and let people hit you in. It was good to get on base. I wanted to get a hit and I was up there ready to take my hacks and do my job and do whatever it took to win and get the guy over. Whatever it was, I was going to do it.”