Clemson pounds Panthers

Clemson scored a run in every inning but one in its 14-6 victory over Pittsburgh on Friday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson.

The No. 14 Tigers (20-6, 6-4 ACC) had 16 hits, its second highest total of the season. They got four hits and three runs batted in from Reed Rohlman, while Seth Beer drove in three runs. Weston Wilson also had two hits and drove in two runs in the win.

Clemson batters drove in 11 runs overall, while Pitt pitching had seven walks and five wild pitches. The Panthers had two wild pitches in their first 21 games this year.

“Today was a good day. I have been struggling lately and everyone knows that but it’s been nice. I am starting to see the ball well and getting better pitches and swinging at better pitches. Tonight paid off,” Rohlman said following the game.

Clemson was able to tie the game up in the bottom of the second when Wilson crossed the plate on a wild pitch. The Tigers then plated five more hitters in the third and fourth innings to give them 6-1 lead.

Pittsburgh (12-10, 4-6) rallied to score four runs in the top of the fifth inning to make it a one-run game, but the Tigers exploded for one run in the bottom of the fifth and then five runs in the sixth to break the game open.

Clemson answered back by scoring one in the bottom of the fifth thanks to an RBI by Greene that plated Williams. The Tiger’s biggest inning came in the sixth as they were able to score five more runs thanks to a single by Rohlman to right field scoring Chris Okey and Beer giving them a 10-5 lead. The Tigers got two more runs after that to end the inning with a seven-run lead.

The Tigers added another run in the bottom of the seventh to help extends its lead 13-6, and then got one more in the eighth inning to end the night’s scoring.

Clemson’s Clate Schmidt pitched 6 2/3 innings to record his fifth win of the season. He is now 5-0 in seven starts. The senior allowed six run on eight hits. He struck out five batters and had no walks.

“Overall, I thought we played a really good ball game and we are going to need to show up ready to go tomorrow because their starter tomorrow is one of the best in our league,” Clemson head coach Monte Lee said.

The Tigers will host Pitt on Saturday at 4 p.m in Game 2 of the three-game series.