Sunday, May 02, 2010

CLEMSON, S.C. – Another great pitching performance from left hander Chris Sale (Lakeland, Fla.) moved the FGCU baseball team past No. 23 Clemson, 4-2, on Saturday evening in Clemson, S.C at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Juniors Tim Roberson (West Palm Beach, Fla.) and Luke Smierciak (Gainesville, Fla.) each recorded two-run home runs for the Eagles.

The A-Sun Conference leading Eagles improved their overall record to 28-13 (17-4 A-Sun), while No. 23 Clemson dropped to 25-17 overall (11-10 ACC).

Fresh off an FGCU record setting 15 strikeout outing, A-Sun Preseason Pitcher of the Year Chris Sale had another noteworthy performance in the game one start. Improving his record to 7-0 on the year with the win, the junior lefty went eight full innings and allowed just two earned runs on four hits, with 10 strikeouts against the nationally ranked Tigers. Sale now has 103 strikeouts on the season with just 11 walks in 75 innings pitched. Allowing two hits, junior Jack Wagoner (Berlin, Conn.) pitched one inning of scoreless baseball, earning his eighth save of the season in relief of Sale.

“This was a great victory for our baseball program,” said head coach Dave Tollett following the game. “To beat a solid ACC program like Clemson, who is always a national power, is a great achievement for our team. Additionally, Chris Sale always gives us an opportunity for a victory and he was great again tonight.”

Casey Harman started the evening for the Tigers and allowed two runs on eight hits in the seven inning no-decision. David Haselden picked up the loss after allowing two earned runs on two hits in 0.2 innings pitched.

The Eagles jumped out to a two run lead on the nation’s 23rd ranked Tigers in the top half of the fourth inning. Junior Mikel Alvarez (West Palm Beach, Fla.) led off the frame with a single up the middle before fellow classmate Roberson connected with an 0-1 delivery, and sent it over the outfield wall for a two-run home run (2-0). It was Roberson’s team leading ninth round tripper of the season.