Clemson vs Alabama - NCAA Super Regionals Game 2 Recap

Clemson 19, Alabama 5 - series tied, 1-1

After rolling the Alabama Crimson Tide by 14 runs on Sunday night, Clemson is one game away from a trip to Omaha for the College World Series.

The same story has played out the last month for Clemson – scoring early leads to wins, and boy, did the Tigers score early. 

After Alabama lefty Adam Morgan retired Clemson’s leadoff hitter, three straight singles gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead with runners on first and second base. Clemson shortstop Brad Miller got aboard with a walk to set up a two-run single by third baseman John Hinson to give the Tigers a 3-0 edge. Morgan retired the next Clemson batter at the cost of another run on a sacrifice fly, but clearly, he did not have his best stuff. Tigers catcher Spencer Kieboom nailed a two-run double to the left-center field gap at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, for a 6-0 tally that Clemson held at the end of the first inning. 

Unfortunately for the Crimson Tide, the Tigers had another big-run inning in them. 

Bringing 12 batters to the plate, Clemson put a 9-spot on the scoreboard in the sixth inning to shoot from 10 to 19 runs. Alabama pitching loaded the bases five different times in the inning, and the fifth time was the charm for the Tigers’ Miller with a grand slam to left field.

Saturday’s ninth-inning ejection lit a fire under Clemson leftfielder Jeff Schaus, who went 4-for-6 with 3 RBIs. Miller and first baseman Richie Shaffer led the Tigers’ attack, going a combined 8-for-10 with 8 RBIs and 5 runs scored.  

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The key to Clemson’s pitching performance was limiting damage. Alabama did put up 5 runs, but the Tide never scored more than one run in an inning all game long. Righty Scott Weismann had a six-run lead before he even stepped on the field, a reality which he benefited from while laboring in the intense South Carolina heat. Weismann threw strikes and pitched 6 innings with 3 earned runs, 9 hits, and no walks.

The big lead allowed Clemson to test out some younger arms in the bullpen with 1-inning outings from rarely used pitchers Josh Thrailkill and Joseph Moorefield. The duo allowed only one hit, an earned run, and three strikeouts in the late innings. Besides Weismann, Clemson now has everyone available for Monday’s contest with the Crimson Tide.  

On the other hand, Alabama used six pitchers over the course of the game. The Tide’s bullpen gave up 11 runs and 13 hits over 6 2/3 innings. 

Clemson and Alabama meet Monday for a chance to advance to the College World Series at 1 p.m. Eastern at Kingsmore Stadium. Alabama is the designated home team and will throw righthander Nathan Kilcrease (7-2, 2.42 ERA in 5 starts), while Clemson counters with righty Dominic Leone (2-1, 4.89 ERA in 8 starts). 

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Guest Writer