Tigers triumph on Schaus' two-run double in ninth

CLEMSON — Jeff Schaus is taking to the walk-off hero role.

Schaus' second game-winning hit of the season Friday might have been a season-saving shot at the Clemson Regional.

With the Tigers trailing by one in the bottom of the ninth, with one out and runners on first and second, the left-handed slugger smashed a one-bounce shot by Tennessee Tech first baseman Tate McMillan into the right-field corner.

The double scored two, giving the Tigers a 5-4 victory.

The heroics ended the No. 4 seed Golden Eagles' upset bid and started a mob scene in the center of the Doug Kingsmore infield. Schaus flung his batting helmet toward the sky as he rounded second and Chris Epps scored the game- winning run with a headfirst slide, though the desperation throw from right field never reached home plate.

The hit preserved the top-seeded Tigers' perfect mark in home regional games since the tournament expanded in 1999, winning 16 straight games.

The meaning of Schaus' double doesn't end there.

Stepping in against reliever Lee Henry, Schaus and the Tigers knew the importance of winning the opener. Lose the first game and be shipped to the dreaded losers' bracket, where four consecutive wins are required in three days to advance.

Instead, the Tigers meet Oklahoma State today at 7 p.m.

"I knew he was throwing sliders to a lot of guys," said Schaus, who hit a walk-off grand slam earlier in the season against Coastal Carolina. "I was looking for a pitch up in the zone, and he kind of hung one up there."

Schaus turned and skipped the ball past McMillan, whom Tennessee Tech coach Matt Bragga lamented might have been a "step or two" too far from the line.

Schaus was not the only hero for the Tigers (41-19).

Graham Stoneburner, the up-and-down starter-turned reliever, delivered one of the most important performances of his career, coming in relief of starter Trey Delk.

Stoneburner threw 4 2/3 shutout innings allowing just two hits and struck out five, to keep the deficit to just one run.

As the Tigers snuffed out rally after rally, leaving nine runners stranded, Stoneburner helped post five straight zeroes, after Delk was unable to complete the fifth.

"I was a little down on myself after that first inning," said Stoneburner, who threw two wild pitches in the fifth. "The biggest thing was my mindset, keeping it close, not letting it get out of hand."

Tennessee Tech starter Ryan Dennick was nearly as good.

After examining Clemson's left-handed heavy lineup, Bragga elected to start the left-handed Dennick over the right-handed Henry, who was originally listed as the Friday starter. Six of the nine Clemson regulars are left-handed, including the top four batters in the lineup.

Dennick limited the top four Clemson batters to four hits in 17 at-bats, though Schaus homered to left-center in the fifth to cut the Tech lead to 4-3.

Dennick, a senior, pitched seven innings, allowing five hits, three runs — all earned — four walks and five strikeouts on 110 pitches.

Henry came on to relieve Dennick after he maneuvered through the top three lefties in Clemson's lineup in the seventh.

Henry walked Paulsen and Parker to begin the eighth, but got Wilson Boyd to chase a 3-2 offspeed pitch in the dirt, John Nester to pop up, and like Boyd, induced Brad Miller to chase a 3-2 offspeed pitch.

Henry could not escape trouble again in the ninth.

He allowed pinch-hitter Addison Johnson to reach on an opposite-field single to begin the inning, Epps followed with a bunt single and Henry struck out Mike Freeman looking to set the stage for Schaus.

Said Clemson coach Jack Leggett: "We haven't had an easy first game maybe forever."

Leggett said Casey Harman will start today's game.

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