Look Back: Gardner Webb

By Trey McCurry.

By Trey McCurry

CLEMSON — Here is a look back at Clemson’s 4-1 win over Gardner-Webb on Wednesday evening at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

 

 

 

What happened?

Jonathan Meyer pitched 7.0 strong innings in his first start of the year and Garrett Boulware hit a two-run homer to lead Clemson to a 4-1 win over Gardner-Webb to improve to 18-11 on the season. 

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changing moment came in the top of the eighth inning. With Clemson clinging to a 3-1 lead, Kyle Schnell came on in relief of Meyer. After recording the first out, the next three Bulldogs reached base via a HBP, single, and walk to load the bases. Schell then caught a soft liner up the middle and doubled the runner off of third to get out of the jam and preserve the Tigers two run lead.

Story Line:

The Tigers used solid pitching throughout the game and a couple of timely hits to get a good midweek win.  

Turning Point:

The turning point in the game came in the bottom of the first inning as Clemson wasted little time to jump out to a lead. Steven Duggar reached on a one-out infield single and Boulware followed with his fifth long ball of the season to give Meyer all the run support he would need in the game. 

What went right?

Meyer was excellent on the mound, giving the Tigers a great midweek start on a short week. Thomas Brittle also had a great game, going 3-for-4 in the contest with a double, run, and stolen base. Three other Tigers (Duggar, Boulware, and Shane Kennedy also added two hits. The Clemson defense was also strong, turning two double plays and not committing an error in the contest. It was also good to see Matt Campell have a good outing in earning his fifth save of the season. 

What went wrong?

Despite recording 10 hits in the game, the Tigers struggled to get some timely hits and were unable to execute in a couple of situations where they could have extended their lead. 

They said it.

Clemson Head Coach Jack Leggett

I thought we pitched really well and we played good defense. We have four or five times where we did not execute well offensively and we have to do a better job with that. If we play like that, then we are average. If we do a better job, then we can be pretty good”