DOUG KINGSMORE STADIUM, CLEMSON, SC — After a pitcher’s duel on Friday night, the bats came alive early in game two of the series between Clemson and Elon on Saturday (Feb. 25). The Tigers won the contest 13-5 after a dominant offensive performance.
With Tiger Pat Krall and Phoenix Robbie Welhaf on the mound, such an offensive outburst was unexpected. Krall had a 0.00 ERA entering the contest and Welhaf was fresh off a no-hitter in his last outing. Neither pitcher was in top form on Saturday and it was the offenses that shined.
Starting in the first inning, the Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead after some solid production from the top and middle of the lineup. The bats wouldn’t quiet for the rest of the evening, and most of the noise came from Chase Pinder.
After being limited in his play during the first series against Wright State due to illness, Pinder has made an impact on this lineup. On Saturday, he was back in his leadoff spot for the first time this season after holding it all of last year.
Pinder ended the day 3-for-5 with two RBIs, raising his batting average to .455.
“We felt like we wanted to put [Pinder] back at the top of the order,” Head Coach Monte Lee said. “It was the right move for today … he is a weapon on offense, he’s a guy who gets on base and does whatever you need him to,” Lee said.
All except two of Clemson batters had a hit in the game and one of those two had a walk.
I thought we came into the ballgame with a good offensive approach … I don’t know if offensively we could play any better than we did today,” Lee said.
Krall earned the win with 5.2 innings pitched, giving up five earned runs on nine hits.
Clemson clinched the series victory with the win and have the chance to sweep it in game three on Sunday, Feb 26 at 1 p.m. Alex Eubanks is scheduled to start for the Tigers.