Seigler, on point with more baseball coverage:
The Clemson Tigers faltered in their bid to be undefeated in the super regional with a game one loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs by a score of 8 to 6.
Through the first three innings, Bulldog starter Chad Crosswhite absolutely blanked the Tigers, giving up not so much as a hit, striking out four of the first three Tigers he faced, including two in the top of the first. The Tigers seemed to have figured him out by the top of the fourth, when they were helped by an error to score two runs.
Tiger lefty Daniel Moskos continued his good performance as well through the first four, striking out three while being helped by a double play to escape the third, when he gave up three of his seven hits, but no runs. The first trouble came for Moskos in the bottom of the fifth, when he gave up a two out home run to Bulldog DH, Connor Powers.
With the score knotted at two the Tigers needed to kick their offense into gear and that they did. Continuing his good hitting, first baseman Andy D’Alessio added two runs with a home run that drove in Marquez Smith, who had walked to lead off the inning. D’Alessio ended the day 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. Not to be outdone, shortstop Taylor Harbin added a solo shot of his own off freshman reliever Jesse Carver after starter Crosswhite was yanked Carver was pulled after giving up a single to Catcher Doug Hogan, in favor of John Lalor, who would end up stopping the bleeding and getting the win for the Bulldogs.
With a three run lead established, Moskos again took the mound, but his efforts were not enough to stop any momentum State’s offense had built up. After consecutive hits, he gave up a two run home run to first baseman Mitch Moreland, who’s numbers mimicked D’Alessio (2/4, 3 RBI). With his lead cut to nil, Moskos gave up another double and a fielding error at second base allowed yet another base runner aboard. Moskos was then relieved by Stephen Clyne, who got third baseman Russ Sneed to ground into a double play, scoring an unearned run, but stopping the Bulldogs nonetheless.
With himself in the position to earn the win, Lalor showed some dominance by limiting the Tigers to two hits and one run off a solo shot by catcher Doug Hogan. Clyne, on the other hand gave up two more runs in the bottom of the seventh, allowing the Bulldogs to secure the lead, for good this time. Reliever Matt Vaughn pitched a perfect eighth after the Tigers failed to tie the score in the top half. Bulldog closer Aaron Weatherford blanked the Tigers in the ninth for his fifth save of the season.
John Lalor(3-1) got the win while Moskos(3-6) added to his loss column. While some parts of the Clemson offense continued their success, some were noticeable absent, including team batting champion Brad Chalk, who went 0-5 with no RBI. While the pitching was not especially stellar today, it was the glaring absence of the run scoring offense that really hurt the Tigers today. Let’s hope they can get everything working together tomorrow and march over the bulldogs on the way to Omaha.
The Tigers have a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow at noon as they take the field as the home team in hopes that they will not be going home early this year. The Tigers have not named their starter for tomorrow’s game as of now, but I will post an update when that information is released by the athletic department. Look forward to more postseason coverage by Seigler, here before you can get it anywhere else.
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