box score
CLEMSON, S.C. – A nine-run third inning was all the Tigers needed to complete the three-game sweep of Mercer with a 10-3 win at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. With the win Clemson starts the season 3-0, while the Bears fall to 0-3.
Clemson struck first in a huge third inning. Wilson Boyd started the rally with a solo home run over the right field fence. Two doubles, four singles and an error followed to allow six Tigers to come across the plate. Boyd ended the inning with a three-run home run and the Tigers jumped to an early 9-0 lead.
Mercer got on the board in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs on three hits.
Mike Armstrong walked and advanced to second on a single to left field by Billy Shaughnessy.
Casey Stuart singled to score Armstrong and
John Dortch hit his second career triple to clear the bases and pull the Bears to within 9-3.
John Nester answered for the Tigers in the bottom of the seventh mounting a solo shot over the right field fence.
Dortch led the offensive attack going two-for-three with one triple and two RBIs. Shaughnessy tallied two hits while
Tyler McCarty,
Nick DiMauro and Stuart tallied one hit a piece for the Bears.
Boyd led the Tigers going two-for-four with two home runs and four RBIs.
John Hoelzer took the loss in his debut on the mound for the Bears. Hoelzer went 2 and 2/3 innings, giving up ten hits and nine earned runs while striking out two.
Dan April,
Lath Guyer, Josh Lowey,
Michael Shaw and
Justice French combined for five and 1/3 innings of one-run relief.
Graham Stoneburner recorded his first win as a Tiger in five innings from the mound. Stoneburner gave up three hits, one walk and struck out three.
Mercer returns to action with its home-opener on Wednesday, February 27 when Savannah State invades Claude Smith Field. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.