Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. -- The 23rd-ranked Clemson Tigers turned three walks into three first-inning runs on their way to a 6-2 victory over the Elon Phoenix on Tuesday night at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Elon (12-9) out-hit Clemson (10-8) 10-9 on the night, but the Tigers took advantage of seven free passes issued by Phoenix pitching.

Clemson began the bottom of the first inning with three consecutive walks to load the bases before Phil Pohl lined a single to center to plate the first run.  A fielder's choice brought home the second run before a Spencer Kieboom sac fly drove home the third marker of the first frame.

The Phoenix made it a 3-1 game in the third inning when Sebastian Gomez hit a two-out single to center that drove home Casey Jones. 

After the Tigers made it a 4-1 contest in the fourth, Elon closed the gap to two again in the sixth.  Ryan Kinsella's lead-off walk was followed by a Garrett Koster single.  After a wild pitch advanced both runners Jones drove home Kinsella with an infield single.  The Phoenix would not be able to pull any closer and left two runners stranded in the inning.

Clemson tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh on RBI singles from Tyler Slaton and Steve Wilkerson.

Jonathan Meyer (1-1) was the winning pitcher as he allowed one run on seven hits over five innings.

Grant McCoury (0-1) suffered the loss and was charged with three runs on one hit in just two-thirds of an inning.  The Phoenix remained close in large part because of the relief efforts of Ryan Pennell.  Pennell threw 4.1 innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out five Tiger hitters.

Both Koster and Jones had two-hit nights for the Phoenix and Alex Swim extended his hitting streak to a SoCon-leading 14 games with a single in the seventh.

The two teams will face off again on Wednesday afternoon.  First pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Fluor Field in Greenville, S.C.