Tigers get past Cougars

CLEMSON — Scott Weismann and the College of Charleston each entered Tuesday in positions of uncertainty.

The role-less Weismann made his second career start and earned his second career win with five shutout innings to help Clemson to a 5-2 win against the Cougars. The loss snapped a 10-game winning streak for College of Charleston, which is on the NCAA bubble.

In Weismann's six outings since returning from shoulder tendinitis, the freshman has started twice, closed out a game for a save and worked in middle relief.

Weismann has been dubbed the closer of the future, and at one point pitching coach Kyle Bunn talked about using Weismann as a weekend starter, which Jack Leggett has ruled out.

What No. 19 Clemson does know is Weismann has a dynamic arm — one that has the potential to neutralize power bats in an NCAA Regional.

Bunn said Weismann threw consistently in the low 90s Tuesday and hit 93 mph. The freshman mixed in a changeup to go along with his fastball and slider. Against a quality Cougars lineup, Weismann allowed three hits, walked three and struck out three.

"It doesn't matter (what role) — he can do either," Leggett said. "He can pitch in relief for us if he has to. In a situation where we need a fourth starter in the ACC Tournament, he is a pretty good bet for us. If we don't get to that situation, if we need him in relief, we'll use him in relief."

Weismann has made just two starts, but on the season he has a team-best 1.03 ERA and has struck out 22 in 26 innings, holding opponents to a .198 batting average. The right-hander was supported by catcher John Nester, who went 3-for-4, including his fifth home run of the season.

Tuesday marked Clemson's last game at Doug Kingsmore this season, unless the Tigers (36-17) host a regional.

The College of Charleston (35-17) entered in a more precarious postseason situation, just hoping to build a case to get into the tournament.

ESPN and Rivals.com have the College of Charleston in the tournament, though ESPN has the Cougars as one of last nine in and traveling to Gainesville, Fla.

Rivals has the Cougars traveling to Clemson.

Baseball America has the Cougars out of an at-large bid in their late April projection.

College of Charleston coach Monte Lee said the goal is to get to 40 wins.

"You never know when it comes to the NCAA selection committee what they are going to look at," Lee said. "I do know it's important how you play your last 10 games down the stretch, and we have been playing well. I think that is a plus for us.

"If we win 40 games, that is a plus, (and) our RPI is good (41st). We have some things going for us."

The Cougars missed an opportunity Tuesday against the No. 8 RPI team, on a night starter Casey Lucchese (who entered with a 10.50 ERA) allowed just four earned runs over six innings.

After Weismann departed, Charleston immediately touched up the Clemson bullpen.

Tigers reliever Ryan Hinson came on to load the bases in the sixth and was replaced by Tomas Cruz, who induced a sharp ground ball with two outs, which Clemson shortstop Brad Miller couldn't handle. The error resulted in two runs, cutting the Tigers' lead to 3-2.

But the Clemson pen settled down.

Cruz followed with two scoreless innings and Matt Vaughn pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

E—Rakar, Miller. DP—Clemson 2. LOB—CofC 8, Clemson 6. 2B—Daniels, Rakar, Nester, Stolz. HR—Schaus, Nester. SF—Freeman, Schaus. SB—McCord, Schaus, Boyd. CS—McCord.

HBP—by Cruz (Hentz). PB—Morgan.

T—2:37. Att—4,597.

Reach Travis Sawchik at tsawchik@postandcourier.com and check out his Clemson blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/tiger_tracks.