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CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson freshman Keyshawn Askew turned in another dominant performance as the Clemson offense exploded in a 14-3 win over East Tennessee State on Tuesday evening.
“Keyshawn was outstanding tonight,” said Clemson coach Monte Lee.
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Clemson’s Sam Hall opened the bottom of the first inning with a single to left field, and advanced to second on a Logan Davidson fly out. ETSU starting pitcher Colby Stuart then walked three consecutive batters to force home a run, giving the Tigers an early 1-0 lead. Stuart would work himself out of the bases-loaded jam by getting Jordan Greene to pop out on a full count, and Bryar Hawkins to line out to shortstop.
Bryce Teodosio singled to lead off the bottom of the second inning before stealing second base. After Matt Cooper struck out, Hall walked to reach base in his seventh straight at-bat. The two runners advanced on a wild pitch before Teodosio scored on a Davidson sac fly, and Hall scored on a Grayson Byrd single.
Clemson added to its lead in the third inning when Jordan Greene doubled and then scored on a single by Hawkins, making the score 4-0.
Sharpe and Kyle Wilkie both doubled to start the bottom of the fourth inning. Greene walked and Hawkins lined out before Teodosio hit a double to drive in Greene and Wilkie, pushing Clemson’s lead to 7-0.
Freshman pitcher Jackson Lindley relieved Askew to start the sixth inning, striking out one batter and retiring the two other batters he faced.
Askew faced the minimum 15 batters over five innings, striking out three batters on just 58 pitches. ETSU’s Ethan Cady beat out a ground ball to first base that was fumbled by Byrd in the second inning, but was quickly erased on an inning-ending double play.
“I felt good going in after the first start,” said Askew. “I kept the same mentality going in and my guys behind me made great plays.”
Clemson scored seven more runs during a monster sixth inning in which it sent 12 batters to the plate. Hall reached base on a hit-by-pitch and scored on a double by Davidson. Byrd and Sharpe both followed with RBI singles before James Parker connected on a pinch-hit two-run homer. The home run was Parker’s first collegiate hit. Two batters later, Teodosio blasted another two-run homer for the Tigers. Clemson led 14-0 after six innings.
ETSU shortstop Cade Gilbert put the Buccaneers on the scoreboard with a three-run blast off Jacob Hennessy in the seventh inning.
Clemson pitcher Owen Griffith came on in relief and struck out the side in the eighth inning.
Said Lee: “It was great to see Owen in there pounding the strike zone.”
Freshman pitcher Connor O’Rear closed out the game for the Tigers, making his first career appearance.
“Today’s game was the most complete game we’ve played,” said Lee. “We pitched well and our defense was solid.”
Lee has been impressed by the production from his freshmen this early in the season.
“They feel like they belong and that they compete right now."
Clemson will host in-state rival South Carolina on Friday night to begin what is arguably the most intense rivalry in college baseball.
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