By Trey McCurry.

By Trey McCurry

Clemson gave up a six-run lead in the seventh inning, but rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat Western Carolina, 12-9, Tuesday night.

Jonathan Meyer got the start for the Tigers but got an early hook after going two innings and giving up four hits, two runs and two earned runs. Zack Erwin came in and pitched well until the seventh.

Erwin went 4.1 innings and gave up four hits, four runs and three earned runs.  Kyle Schnell came in to relieve Erwin in the seventh, but gave up three hits and three runs in 0.1 innings.

Patrick Andrews settled things down for the Tigers working out of trouble in the seventh and pitching the eighth.  Scott Firth came in and pitched the ninth to record his first save of the season.

Jon McGibbon led the Tigers at the plate, going 3-4 with four RBIs including the game winner in the top of the ninth inning.  Tyler Krieger also continued to be hot at the plate going 2-3 with two RBIs.

Clemson (22-11) took the lead in the top of the first inning.  With one out Thomas Brittle reached on a bunt. Garrett Boulware singled to right advancing Brittle to second. Shane Kennedy walked to load the bases, and Steve Wilkerson singled to left scoring Brittle and Boulware for a 2-0 lead.

Western Carolina (19-16) bounced right back with two runs in the first to tie the game.

The Tigers took the lead again in the top of the second when  Jon McGibbon singled up the middle to start the inning.  With two outs Brittle reached on an infield single and McGibbon scored on an error.

In the top of the third Clemson plated four runs to take a 7-2 lead. Kennedy singled before Wilkerson walked and Steven Duggar reached on an error to load the bases. Krieger hit a sacrifice fly to score Kennedy and McGibbon singled to right scoring Wilkerson and Duggar. McGibbon later plated himself to make the score 7-2.

Clemson added two more runs in the fourth. With one out Wilkerson and Duggar walked, then Krieger singled to score Wilkerson. Duggar got home on a double steal to make the score 9-3.

The Tigers appeared to be cruising for the win until the seventh inning. In the bottom of the seventh Western Carolina rallied for six runs to tie the score 9-9.

Clemson, however, rallied for the win in the top of the ninth.  Duggar hit a one-out double and Krieger walked before McGibbon singled to score Duggar with what turned out to be the game-winner. McGibbon then stole second as Costigan struck out and Krieger scored on the play. Tyler Staton followed with a base knock to score McGibbon for the game’s final run.