Instant Replay: VT 4 Clemson 3
By: rmacrae@bellsouth.net March 22, 2015

By Trey McCurry.

BLACKSBURG, VA — Here is a look back at Clemson’s (11-11, 4-5 ACC) 4-3, 12-inning setback to Virginia Tech (12-12, 5-4 ACC) on Sunday afternoon at English Field.

 

 

 

What happened?

The Tigers struck first with three runs in the first inning. Tyler Slaton reached on a fielding error to start the game and then came in to score on Steven Duggar’s RBI double. Chris Okey would bring Duggar in with a two-out single, move to second on a wild pitch, and come in to score Clemson’s third run of the frame as Chase Pinder reached on a Hokie error. Virginia Tech scored single runs in the first and third inning before finally tying the game in the bottom of the eighth. The Tigers had their chances in extra innings to push across the go ahead run, but were unable to get a guy across the plate while Virginia Tech finally took the game with a single run in the bottom of the 12th inning.

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changed in the top of the 11th inning. Clemson loaded the bases with two outs and appeared to be on the way to a scoring at least one run when Reed Rohlman hit a ball ticketed for right center field. However, the Hokies second baseman made a great play by climbing the ladder and taking the hit away from Rohlman to end the threat.

In the bottom of the 12th, the breaks went Virginia Tech’s way as a leadoff single went off the foot of Clate Schmidt and the runner barely beat the throw from Eli White. On the game winning fielder’s choice, the Hokie runner just beat the throw from Pinder to pick up a walk-off win.

What went right?

Zach Erwin had a good start, pitching 7.1 innings while allowing three runs on eight hits. Tyler Krieger had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 10 games while Duggar and Okey each had an RBI. Defensively, the Tigers played well again as they made several web gems around the diamond. 

What went wrong?

Clemson was unable to score again after a three-run first inning. The Tigers stranded 15 runners in the game, including 10 in scoring position. The stranded runners hurt the most in the extra frames as Clemson had runners on at least second and third in each inning.