Tigers Take ACC Break, Host James Madison

CLEMSON, S.C. (CU SID) — After four days off for final exams, the Tigers return to action in a two-game series against James Madison. SERIES SETUP “¢ Who – James Madison (15-26) vs. Clemson (25-19) “¢ Rankings – JMU – NR; CU – NR “¢ When – Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (4 p.m.) “¢ Where – Clemson, S.C. (Doug Kingsmore Stadium) “¢ Watch – TigerCast “¢ Listen – TigerCast, WCCP (105.5 FM) “¢ Live Stats – ClemsonTigers.com “¢ Social Media – Twitter/Instagram (@ClemsonBaseball) “¢ Tickets – ClemsonTigers.com, 1-800-CLEMSON “¢ Promotion – Take a Kid to the Park – All children 12 and under receive free admission with purchase of an adult ticket. SERIES HISTORY “¢ Overall Record – Clemson leads 16-2 (1976-06) “¢ Record at Clemson – Clemson leads 15-0 (1976-06) STARTING PITCHERS “¢ Friday – RHP Chris Huffman (JMU) vs. LHP Zack Erwin (CU) “¢ Saturday – LHP Aaron Hoover (JMU) vs. LHP Matthew Crownover (CU) CLEMSON OVERVIEW “¢ Clemson was swept at home by No. 11 Miami (Fla.) last weekend. “¢ The Tigers are averaging 5.8 runs per game and hitting .282 with a .354 on-base percentage and 70 steals. “¢ The pitching staff has a 3.96 ERA, .240 opponents‘ batting average and 1.95 strikeout-to-walk ratio and Clemson is fielding .962. JAMES MADISON OVERVIEW “¢ James Madison is led by 17th-year Head Coach Spanky McFarland. “¢ The Dukes defeated Maryland 6-3 on the road Tuesday. They are hitting .281 and have a 7.57 ERA and .963 fielding percentage. “¢ Matt Tenaglia is hitting .333 with four homers, 33 RBIs and a .450 on-base percentage. QUICK HITS “¢ Prior to Clemson‘s game against James Madison on Saturday at 4 p.m., UNLV plays James Madison at Doug Kingsmore Stadium at noon. “¢ Clemson fell out of the top 25 of all the polls this week, ending its 22-poll streak of being ranked in the top 25 of at least one poll. “¢ Tiger opponents are hitting a combined .201 in the first and second innings in 2014. WILHELM RING OF HONOR CELEBRATION “¢ The late Head Coach Bill Wilhelm (1958-93) will be honored prior to the Boston College game at Clemson on May 15 (game time 6:30 p.m.). “¢ From 4-6 p.m., there will be a drop-in (open to the public) to meet and greet the Wilhelm family in the McFadden Building team room. “¢ There will be a pregame ceremony at 6:15 p.m., as his former players will be part of the ceremony recognizing his Ring of Honor induction. 13 STRIKEOUT CLUB “¢ Sophomore lefthander Zack Erwin and Daniel Gossett both struck out 13 batters in a game in did so just three days apart in April. “¢ Against Western Carolina on April 23, Erwin struck out 13 in 7.0 innings pitched to earn the win in Clemson‘s 11-3 victory. “¢ Against No. 11 Miami (Fla.) on April 26, Gossett struck out 13 and allowed just one run in 9.0 innings pitched. “¢ Before those two outings, the previous time a Tiger struck out 13 in a game was April 3, 2012, when Gossett struck out 13 against Winthrop.