<a href="http://www.andersonsc.com/stories/story_page.asp?id=62829" target="_blank">From Anderson SC Online</a>

Clemson blasts way past Purdue


By Todd Engle
Anderson Independent-Mail
3/10/2002

CLEMSON — Here’s a note to all opposing pitchers. The Clemson lineup features more than just one power hitter.

Purdue coach Doug Schreiber chose to pitch around Tiger clean-up hitter Jeff Baker with one out and runners on second and third in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

That was a mistake. Michael Johnson stepped to the plate and blasted a grand-slam that cleared the 40-foot high hitters backdrop in center field. Clemson coach Jack Leggett estimated the home run traveled at least 480 feet.

It was Johnson’s seventh home run in nine games and was the catalyst in the No. 2 Tigers’ 9-6 win over Purdue.

Clemson (9-0) has won two straight against the Boilermakers, and is off to its best start since 1997.

“I like the way we’re swinging the bats, and even Jeff Baker is on the cutting edge,” Leggett said. “When he really gets it rolling, we’ll be a pretty good offensive team.”

As it is, the Tigers have been a good offensive team, averaging nine runs per game.

Clemson right fielder Jarrod Schmidt followed up Johnson’s homer with a solo shot off the right-center field scoreboard.

“I told him after the fact that we were trying to knock down all our facilities over the fence,” Johnson said with a smile.

The six-run outburst in the fifth inning provided Clemson pitcher Matt Henrie (2-0) all the offense he needed. He allowed just one unearned run and two hits in six innings of work. He also struck out six.

The Tigers hit their only snag in the seventh inning.

Henrie was replaced by freshman Tyler Lumsden, who gave up a single and walked three straight.

Lumsden gave way to freshman Jeff Hourigan, who struck out a batter and had Purdue catcher Mitch Koester in a 3-2 count before torrential rain halted the game for an hour and 20 minutes.

“He did exactly what he needed to do after that first delay, and that’s throw a strike and get an out,” Leggett said. “Instead of walking that guy in, he put it in play and that was big for us. They got three runs out of the inning, but it could’ve been worse.”

Purdue got a single run in the ninth before side-armer Paul Harrelson came on to record the final two outs.

The three game series will conclude today, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. The Boilermakers will send Mitch Pruemer to the mound, while the Tigers will counter with Steven Jackson.