Instant Replay: Clemson 7 No. 8 FSU 0
By: clemson May 16, 2015

By Trey McCurry.

TALLAHASSEE, FL — TCI takes a look back at Clemson’s (30-25, 15-13 ACC) 7-0, series-clinching win over #8 Florida State (37-18, 17-12 ACC) on Friday night at Dick Howser Stadium.

 

 

 

What happened?

The Tigers struck first with a single run in the second off the bat of Reed Rohlman, who hit a solo homer of the fence in right to give Clemson an early lead. The Tigers added two more runs in the third inning. Tyler Slaton led off with a single and moved to second on a sac bunt by Andrew Cox. After a groundout advanced Slaton to third, Steven Duggar walked and stole second base before Tyler Krieger lined a two-run single to left to up the lead to 3-0. Clemson added two more runs in the fifth. Cox led off with a single and Eli White laid down a sac bunt and reached base as the throw got away at first. Duggar reached on a fielder’s choice, which advanced Cox to third, and later moved to second on a passed ball. Rohlman picked up two more RBI with a single through the right side to up the Tiger lead to 5-0. Clemson would add another two-spot in the seventh. Duggar led off with a monster solo shot followed by back-to-back singles by Krieger and Drew Wharton. Both runners advanced on a double steal and the throw to third got away allowing Krieger to score and give the Tigers a 7-0 lead as the pitching staff did the rest and Clemson picked up its first ever shutout in Tallahassee.

Game-Changing Moment:

The game changed in the early innings. After the Tigers scored a single run in the second, the Seminoles looked like they may tie the game in the bottom of the frame as DH Chris Marconcini hit a one-out double and moved to third on a balk. Clemson starter Zack Erwin shut down the threat with a strikeout and groundout before the Tigers plated two runs in the next half inning to give Erwin and reliever Taylor Vetzel all the runs they would need.

What went right?

Erwin and Vetzel were outstanding, limiting Florida State to only four hits in the contest and only allowed two Seminoles to advance past first base.  The 2-3-4 hitters came through on offense as they combined to go 7-for-12 with five runs and six RBI while #9 hitter Cox was 2-for-3 on the night. 

What went wrong?

Clemson played one of their best games of the year and only a 101-minute rain delay was able to slow down the Tigers as a superb start by Erwin was cut short due to the delay.