SPECIAL TO THE CBB
Top-seeded Clemson needed ninth-inning drama Friday to join Oklahoma State in the winners bracket of the Clemson Regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
The Tigers and Cowboys play at 7 p.m. Saturday, after an elimination game between Alabama and Tennessee Tech at 3.
Oklahoma State 10 Alabama 6
In the first game, Tom Belza homered in his first three at-bats — including a first-inning grand slam — as third-seeded Oklahoma State beat No. 2 Alabama.
Belza hit just two home runs in the regular season for the Cowboys (33-22), but followed his first-inning shot with leadoff homers in the third and fifth innings.
Oklahoma State took an 8-0 lead against Crimson Tide starter Austin Hyatt (8-3) before Alabama (37-20) rallied with five runs in the bottom of the third inning.
Bama could get no closer.
Doug Kroll also homered for Oklahoma State, while Micheal Dabbs and Tyrone Hambly joined Belza in getting three of the Cowboys’ 12 hits.
Oklahoma State Recap
Alabama Recap
Clemson 5 Tennessee Tech 4
Jeff Schaus doubled in two runs in the bottom of the ninth to give the host Tigers (41-19) a victory over Tennessee Tech (30-23-1).
The Eagles scored a first-inning run and never trailed until Schaus’ heroics against Lee Henry (9-3).
Pinch-hitter Addison Johnson led off the ninth bloop single to left just beyond the infield dirt. Chris Epps pushed a bunt past a diving Henry toward second base for a base hit.
After Mike Freeman watched a called third strike, Schaus delivered a line shot down the right-field line to scoore both baserunners.
Schaus had homered earlier in the game.
Grham Stoneburner (7-3) pitched 4 2/3 innings of two-hit shutout relief to keep Clemson in the game after the Tigers fell behind 4-1.
Clemson Recap
Tennessee Tech Recap
Written by Palmetto State Baseball
