Wilkerson’s 2 HRs power Clemson past Saint Louis

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Steve Wilkerson hit two homers and drove in five runs to lead Clemson to a 10-2 victory over Saint Louis, eliminating the Atlantic 10 tournament champions from the Columbia regional on Saturday.

The Tigers (40-21) snapped a six-game losing streak and will face either Liberty or rival South Carolina in an elimination game Sunday. Clemson avoided its first 0-2 NCAA regional since 1981.

Wilkerson was a big reason why. He put the Tigers ahead with a two-run blast to right in the third inning and added a three-run homer in the fourth that gave Clemson a 6-1 lead.

Shane Kennedy added a solo homer for Clemson. Daniel Gossett (10-4) gave up five hits and two runs in six innings to pick up the victory.

The Billikens (41-21) have lost nine straight NCAA tournament games since reaching the College World Series in 1965.