Clemson pitching dominates lefty batters in opening weekend

The Clemson Sports Blog

Clemson baseball's opening weekend had its share of impressive pitching.

Right-hander Scott Firth earned the win Sunday with five strikeouts, allowing two hits and one run in seven innings.

Per Seldom Used Reserve's baseball lefty-righty splits, Firth didn't allow a hit facing 12 left-handed batters and had a .90 WHIP against right-handed foes.

In a no-decision opener, righty ace Daniel Gossett threw 6.2 scoreless innings with six strikeouts, also not giving up a hit to lefty bat with a 28.57 strikeout percentage against them.

Success against William & Mary left-handed bats was a trend in the weekend, with seven of 11 Tiger pitchers not allowing a base knock to them in 30 tries.

Saturday starter, RHP Patrick Andrews, gave up a weekend-high four earned runs, but set down 5-of-6 left-handed bats with two strikeouts. In relief of Andrews, freshman righty Clate Schmidt struck out two and didn't give up a hit in five at-bats.

The almost across-the-board success against lefties suggests it's not exactly a strength for the Tribe, but it will be interesting to track as the year goes on for the Tigers.

Also of note, the freshmen debuts for LHP Matthew Crownover and RHP Brody Koerner were a bit rocky. In 1.1 innings pitched, Koerner walked four and gave up two earned runs (three runs total), and Crownover surrendered two hits and two earned runs in 0.2 IP. Lefty frosh Zack Erwin didn't get into the action this weekend.

ACC Top-5 Team Hitting over the weekend (+ Monday)

1. Virginia (.345 BA/36 R/4 HR/34 RBI/23 BB)

2. Virginia Tech (.303 BA/34 R/5 HR/29 RBI)

3. Wake Forest (.301 BA/31 R/1 HR/26 RBI)

4. UNC (.293 BA/25 R/1 HR/23 RBI)

5. Florida State (.234 BA/25 R/4 HR/23 RBI/27 BB)

ACC Top-5 Team Pitching

1. Miami (0.72 ERA/.222 opp. BA/18 K/2 ER/2.16 BB per 9)

2. UNC (1.00 ERA/.141 opp. BA/23 K/3 ER/1 CG)

3. Georgia Tech (1.33 ERA/35 K/4 ER/2 BB per 9/11.67 K per 9)

4. Wake Forest (2.83 ERA/39 K/8 BB/10.03 K per 9)

5. Virginia Tech (2.31 ERA/.221 opp. BA/9 ER/27 K)