Matthew Crownover spread out five hits and allowed only a single unearned run over seven innings on Friday, leading Clemson University to a 10-1 baseball victory over the University of Maine at Lake Olmstead Stadium in Augusta, Georgia.
The junior left-hander (1-0) struck out seven and did not walk a batter. Crownover gave way to Alex Bostic and Paul Campbell, each of whom pitched a perfect inning of relief.
The teams return to action on Saturday with an 11 a.m. doubleheader in a series that was moved from Clemson, South Carolina, because of field conditions and weather concerns.
Clemson (2-2) overcame sub-zero temperatures during most of the game to post 14 hits. Reed Rohlman led the way with three hits and three RBIs and Tyler Krieger knocked in two runs with two doubles.
Sam Balzano of Portland paced UMaine (1-4) with two singles, while Luke Morrill of South Thomaston had a single and an RBI.
Starter Jake Marks (0-1) took the loss, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in four innings.
The Tigers jumped in front 1-0 in the first on Steven Duggar’s one-out, RBI single.
Clemson tallied the eventual game-winner in the second on a run-scoring single by Rohlman.
UMaine cut the deficit to 2-1 in the fourth when Scott Heath of Westbrook doubled to left-center and scored on Morrill’s two-out single to left-center.
However, Clemson responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Andrew Cox singled with one out and moved up on Eli White’s bunt single back to the mound.
Tyler Slaton grounded out to advance the runners, then Rohlman followed by singling through the middle on a 3-2 pitch to produce two runs.
The Tigers tacked on two runs apiece in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings against Black Bears relievers Jeff Gelinas of Saco and Chris Piteo.