Clemson vs Florida Gulf Coast Baseball Recap

Clemson 14, Florida Gulf Coast 2

The Clemson Tigers blitzed the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles behind a 15-hit performance on Tuesday afternoon to take their third win (and third straight) in the four-game series.

After striking out the side in the first inning and starting with a 1-0 lead in the second, Eagles lefty starter Patrick Nathanson met trouble - big trouble - from the Tigers lineup.

With two outs and Clemson catcher John Nester on first base, Tigers designated hitter Richie Shaffer knocked through a base hit to put runners on first and second. First basemen Will Lamb then walked to load the bases for second basemen Mike Freeman. On Nathanson’s third delivery to the plate, Freeman smashed a grand slam into the right field bleachers at Doug Kingsmore Stadium to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead. Leftfielder Jeff Schaus came to the plate next and Nathanson did not get any help from his defense: the potential third out dropped among three Eagle fielders in foul territory. Schaus eventually reached base safely, and rightfielder Kyle Parker made FGCU pay for the miscue with a double off a diving outfielder's glove that scored Schaus from first. Third baseman John Hinson then singled in Parker and shortstop Brad Miller knocked an RBI triple after that. Finally, the Eagles brought the hook for Nathanson after 7 earned runs on 5 hits and 5 walks in 1 2/3 innings. The next batter, Nester, fell victim to a great diving catch by Eagle leftfielder Luke Smerciak to mercifully end the second inning for FGCU. Heading into the third, Clemson owned a 7-1 lead.

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The Tigers' combo pitcher, freshman Alex Frederick, got his second win in as many games for the Tigers on Tuesday. Frederick was on the mound as a reliever and got a gift decision on Sunday, when Clemson rallied late to beat the Eagles 7-6 in game two of a doubleheader. In this much more lopsided affair, Frederick pitched 5 strong innings as a starter with 6 strikeouts and only 1 earned run to his credit. Frederick’s journey is quite a story, dating back to last weekend. According to the Clemson's radio broadcast team, Frederick flew to his grandfather’s funeral in New York over the weekend, returned during the fourth inning of the game he won on Sunday, and went right back to the mound to start on Tuesday for another win.

For those Clemson football fans who are currently on edge with respect to the Kyle Parker drama (the matter of whether the dual-sport star stays in school or goes pro in baseball), here's an update: After struggling for most of the four-game series up toTuesday, Parker went 3 for 4 in this game with 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and a walk. He is batting .376 with 16 home runs and 45 RBIs (he also leads the team in batting average and home runs).

The rains that postponed Monday’s tilt between the Eagles and Tigers were nowhere in sight with Clemson’s blowout win coming under clear skies and beautiful weather in Clemson, South Carolina. The Tigers play the Maryland Terrapins (15-33, 4-20 ACC) in a three-game series which starts on Friday.

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Guest Writer