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Georgia Southern University Athletics

Evan McDonald
12
Winner Clemson CU 33-17
1
Georgia Southern GASO 30-21
Winner
Clemson CU
33-17
12
Final
1
Georgia Southern GASO
30-21
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Clemson CU 3 0 0 3 3 1 2 0 0 12 12 1
Georgia Southern GASO 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0

W: Charlie Barnes (5-4) L: Challenger, Evan (5-4)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Drops Series Opener to No. 23 Clemson

Saturday’s game is Popsicle Night presented by Food World

STATESBORO, GA. – Georgia Southern Baseball came out on the short end of a 12-1 line on Friday to open a three game non-conference series against Clemson. The Tigers got to starting pitcher Evan Challenger early, tagging him for nine runs off seven hits. The Eagles manufactured a run in the second, but it wasn't enough to salvage the series opener. Game two is set for Saturday night at 7 p.m. on Popsicle Night presented by Food World. Free popsicles will be presented to fans at the ballpark.

"Clemson swung the bats really well tonight and they had a great approach against (Evan) Challenger tonight," said GS head coach Rodney Hennon. "Give them some credit there, but we had a chance to get back into the game when it was 3-1 and the bases were loaded. We didn't get anything out of it there, and who knows we could have put some pressure on their starter. But, we didn't get it done tonight, simple as that and tip your cap to them. We've got another opportunity tomorrow and we've got to be more competitive in every phase of the game."

Challenger made a promising start, striking out the first batter, but the Tigers would get two on with a hit and a walk. Chris Okey hit the first of three Clemson home runs in the game in the first, staking the visitors to an early 3-0 lead.

Georgia Southern got its run in the second inning thanks to infield hits by Jordan Wren and CJ Brazil. A sacrifice bunt moved everyone up a station, and a Kent Rollins ground out down the left field line sent Wren home from third to cut the lead to 3-1.

Clemson answered with nine unanswered runs to account for the final 12-1 line.

Challenger's struggles against Clemson continued with him giving up a career-high nine earned runs off seven hits for his second-straight loss to the Tigers. The junior also saw his ERA rise above the 3.00 mark for the first time since March 11th.

Offensively the Eagles scratched out six hits with each of the first five batters in the lineup contributing a hit. Ryan Cleveland's eighth inning double was the only extra base hit for the Eagles who left six runners on base.

The series continues on Saturday with game two of the series starting at 7 p.m. from J.I. Clements Stadium. It is Popsicle Night presented by Food World with free popsicles for all fans. The series concludes on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by visiting GSEagles.com/Tickets.
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