By Trey McCurry.

Cullowhee, NC – The Tigers scored early and often as they defeated Western Carolina 19-2.

Jake Long returned to action for the Tigers with an outstanding relief appearance.  Long went 3.0 innings and only gave up three hits and no runs.

Clemson took the lead in the first.  Tyler Krieger singled with one away and then scored on a two-out double from Steven Duggar to put the Tigers up 1-0.

Western Carolina took the lead in the bottom of the first when they plated two runs.

The Tigers took early control with four runs in the second.  Chase Pinder reached on a leadoff walk.  Wharton singled to left before Tyler Slaton was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  Eli White singled to right to score Pinder.  Wharton scored on a passed ball.  Steven Duggar reached on a fielder’s choice scoring Slaton.  Duggar stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on Tyler Krieger’s sacrifice fly.  Clemson led 5-2 after the top of the second.

In the top of the fifth the Tigers put the game away by plating eight runs.  Krieger and Rohlman walked to start the inning.  Okey doubled to score Krieger and Rohlman.  Weston Wilson walked before Pinder grounded out.  Okey scored on a wild pitch.  Tyler Slaton hit a two out triple to score Wilson.  White singled to score Slaton and then stole second.  Duggar singled to score White.  Tyler Krieger singled to keep the rally going.  Rohlman singled to score Duggar and Krieger and put Clemson up 13-2.

The Tigers added four insurance runs in the top of the sixth.  Wilson singled up the middle before Pinder walked.  Wharton doubled to right center to score Wilson.  Slaton reached on an error scoring Pinder.  Renwick singled to score Wharton.  Slaton scored on an error to make it 17-2.

Two more runs were plated by Clemson in the ninth.  Triller and Okey singled before Batson doubled to right center to score Triller.  Wharton hit a one out sacrifice fly to score Okey and make it 19-2.

Clemson moved to 12-11 on the season.  The Tigers host Wake Forest for a three game series this weekend starting with a 6:30 PM contest Friday night.