Clemson Beats Tennessee Tech and Oklahoma State to Stay Alive in Regional

Clemson, SC (AP) ­-

The Clemson Tigers, who had to win twice Sunday just to stay in the tournament, look like the fresher team for Monday's championship game of the Clemson Regional.

Freshman lefthander Chris Dwyer pitched 8 2/3 innings, striking out 13 and allowing only six hits as the top-seeded Tigers routed Oklahoma State 15-1 Sunday night.

The two teams, which each have one loss in the double-elimination tournament, will play for a spot in Super Regionals Monday night.

Earlier Sunday, freshman righthander Scott Weismann pitched eight innings in the Tigers' equally easy victory over Tennessee Tech.

"We've got some fresh arms ready to go," Clemson coach Jack Leggett said after the victory over the Cowboys. "It's tough to find two freshmen to pitch like that in a pressure situation in the regionals."

While Dwyer mowed down the Cowboys (34-23), the Tigers (43-20) forced OSU coach Frank Anderson to use six pitchers, including four in the first three innings.

"I basically just worked off my fastball," said Dwyer (5-5), who hadn't won a game since April 11. " just tried to throw strikes and keep them off-balance."

Tyler Blandford (7-4) lasted only 1 2/3 innings for the Cowboys.

Neither coach named a starter for the deciding game, but the Tigers would seem to have more options left.

Clemson scored four runs in the first inning, one in the second and six in the third to take an 11-0 lead. The way Dwyer was throwing, the last six innings seemed like a formality.

"It was tough to play from behind out there like that," Anderson said. "After the fourth or fifth inning, it was kind of like a Little League deal trying to get everybody into the game."

Mike Freeman and Wilson Boyd each had four hits for the Tigers, who got homers from Freeman and Ben Paulsen.

Tyrone Hambly homered for the Cowboys.

Facing elimination at the start of the day, the Tigers won their two games by a combined 25-1 with 30 hits.

"We just kind of put together a perfect day," Leggett said.

-----------------------------
Clemson, SC -

With his team's season on the line, Clemson pitcher Scott Weismann answered a surprise call from his coach with a sterling performance Sunday in the Tigers' 10-0 victory over Tennessee Tech in an elimination game at the Clemson Regional.

The freshman right-hander pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing only four hits, to help the top-seeded the Tigers (42-20) make short work of the Golden Eagles (31-24-1) on a long day for the host team. The Tigers play Oklahoma State (34-22) tonight in the championship round.

Weismann, who averaged almost one strikeout per inning in 16 previous appearances, struck out only two, relying on his defense in only his third start of the season.

"Obviously, I threw more to contact and just to get outs," said Weismann (3-1). "In a relief situation, you try to blow it out and strike people out. But when you know you have to pitch a long time, you have to save pitches."

Ben Paulsen and Chris Epps homered for the Tigers, who had 14 hits off four Tech pitchers. Paulsen's two-run homer capped a four-run third inning. The Tigers added three in the fourth to take an 8-0 lead.

Weismann's long stint was what Clemson coach Jack Leggett had hoped for when he changed his mind late Saturday night after naming left-hander Chris Dwyer his starter. The top-seeded Tigers must beat Oklahoma State twice to advance to the Super Regionals.

Weismann was at home with Dwyer, his roommate, when Clemson pitching coach Kyle Bunn called with the pitching change. Dwyer is starting Sunday night's game.

"I wasn't really nervous. I felt good," Weismann said. "It wasn't that much pressure ­ before the game a little bit. Once you get going and throw that first pitch, are feeling good, and then your team starts scoring runs like that."

Weismann lowered his earned-run average to 1.23 in 36 2/3 innings. Chason Choate (1-2) lasted only 2.2 innings for Tech.

The Golden Eagles hit into double plays in each of the first three innings.

"I think it set the tone for the day and gave us the dagger," Tech coach Matt Bragga said.