CLEMSON, S.C. --- The Tennessee Tech baseball team fought tooth and nail with Clemson all game long Tuesday afternoon, but a walk-off home run by Richie Shaffer in the 10th inning secured the win for the Tigers.
Both offenses were in full form Tuesday as the Golden Eagles and Tigers combined for 17 runs on 31 hits, which included three home runs.
Clemson (29-20, 14-10 ACC) managed to work its way back into the game as it trailed by six runs after the top of the fourth. It added one run in the bottom of the fourth and the sixth, before putting together a four-run seventh inning to pull even with TTU at eight.
Tech (19-28, 9-12 OVC) did all of its damage in the first four innings in the contest, including a five-run first inning, which included Zephan Guyear's grand slam. Tevis Sherfield and Chad Hayes each drove in a run in the third, while Zach Stephens capped off TTU's scoring in the fourth with his 17th home run of the season.
After Tech chased three Tiger pitchers, including CU starter Mike Kent who gave up five runs in 1.2 innings, David Haselden took the hill and proceeded to cool off the Tech offense as he threw six shutout innings, while striking out four.
TTU starter Nick Price got the no decision as he gave up four runs, three earned, in five innings. Seth Lucio came on in relief for Price, but was eventually chased after giving up four runs in 1.2 innings. Cullen Park came in next and held Clemson scoreless through the ninth inning as he gave up just one hit and a walk in 2.2 innings.
Haselden (3-1) earned the win, while TTU reliever Jake McWhirter (0-4) took the loss as he gave up the walk-off home run to Shaffer in the bottom of the 10th.
Guyear and Ben Burgess each posted a game-high four hits on the day, with Guyear also recording a game-high four RBIs off his grand slam in the first inning. Hayes and James Abraham also posted multi-hit games with two hits each.
Shaffer and Joe Costigan each led the Tigers with two RBIs. Shaffer, along with Steve Wilkerson, each posted a team-high three hits as well.
The Golden Eagles resume Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend as they travel to Eastern Kentucky for a three-game series. Game one of the series is set for Friday at 2 p.m.
