Chase Pinder lifts Clemson past James Madison 6-1

Clemson coach Monte Lee joked with center fielder Chase Pinder last week that when the sophomore comes to bat with runners on and less than two outs, he’d be bunting because Lee “wouldn’t say he’s a power hitter; he may think he is.”

It’s a good thing for the Tigers that it was just for laughs. For the second consecutive weekend, Pinder hit a three-run home run, this time in the sixth inning, to break the game open and added a solo shot in the fifth to help lift Clemson to a 6-1 victory over James Madison in Friday’s Game 1 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

“I don’t necessarily think I’m a power threat, but I just happened to make solid contact,” said Pinder, who had four RBIs from the leadoff spot Friday and equaled his home run total from last year’s 46 games played. “Last weekend, I was rushed (at the plate). I was not on time. We really worked on being on time. That really helped me today. I really love being part of a team and helping them win.”

Catcher Chris Okey also hit a solo homer, his first of the season, to help the Tigers (3-1) earn a Friday victory after dropping last week’s opening-day game against Maine. Lee said his team had early jitters last Friday; this week he emphasized being relaxed to get off to a better start.

The Charlie Barnes-Alex Eubanks pitching duo helped that. Barnes tossed five hitless innings and ended up allowing just one run on two hits and struck out seven while walking three in six innings of work as the starter in his first win of 2016.

Game 2 is at 2 p.m. Saturday.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 11:53 PM.