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Tigers bullpen delivers stops Elon
Three relievers scatter three hits across six innings; Paulsen leads offense
From Staff and Wire reportsCLEMSON — Clemson coach Jack Leggett turned to his bullpen early Tuesday.
Three pitchers responded with the relief he was looking for. The trio combined for six innings against Elon to lead the Tigers to a 5-4 non-conference victory in front of 4,325 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.
Matt Zoltak (3-0) pitched two innings and earned the victory despite allowing two runs. Casey Harman allowed one run on one hit with five strikeouts in three innings and closer Matt Vaughn picked up his seventh save in 11 appearances with a hitless final inning.
Ben Paulsen provided the key hit: a fifth-inning homer, his second of the season, that put Clemson (15-7) ahead 5-3. Paulsen contributed a double that started the Tigers’ three-run fourth. Two of those runs scored when a two-out fly ball was dropped by Elon left fielder Pat Irvine.
Mike Freeman, who drove in one run and score two, produced three of the Tigers’ eight hits.
Donny Jobe led Elon (19-5), going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Ryan Adams homered in the sixth.
Cory Harrilchak (2-1) allowed five runs for the loss.