CLEMSON, S.C. -- The 19th-ranked Clemson Tigers only out-hit the Elon Phoenix 5-4, but were able to push across two fifth-inning runs to pick up a 2-1 non-conference baseball victory in front of 4,502 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Wednesday night. Elon has now dropped three straight to fall to 19-6 on the year. Clemson improved to 16-7.
Elon claimed a 1-0 lead in the third inning when Donny Jobe's two-out single plated Harry Austin who had tripled just before him.
Back-to-back two-out walks to Mike Freeman and Doug Hogan put two runners on for the Tigers. A wild pitch advanced both runners before Ben Paulson struck out swinging to end the Clemson scoring threat.
Clemson knotted the score at 1-1 in the fifth when Hogan singled home Alex Lee who had earlier singled. The Tigers ended up with runners on second and third when the throw home allowed Hogan to take second and Freeman to move to third. A walk to Paulson loaded the bases with one out for Kyle Parker. Parker walked on a 3-1 pitch to force home Freeman with the eventual game-winning run.
Following a lead-off double by Bennett Davis in the fourth, the Tigers proceeded to retire the final 18 Phoenix hitters of the game.
Elon scattered its four hits between Austin, Jobe, Davis and Neal Pritchard.
Clemson saw Hogan go 2-for-3 with a RBI.
J.D. Reichenbach did not allow a run in 3.2 innings for Elon, but walked five before being replaced by Tom Porter. Porter (1-1) took the loss by allowing both Tiger runs on two hits and three walks in 0.2 innings.
Craig Gullickson (3-0) picked up the win with a 5.0-inning, one-run performance. He allowed four hits and struck out eight. Justin Sarratt's 2.0-inning scoreless performance was followed by a 2.0-inning scoreless outing by Ryan Hinson who picked up his first save of the year.
Elon remains on the road to take on Furman in a three-game Southern Conference series beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday night in Greenville, S.C.
-- ELON --