Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 19, 1990 TAG: 9005190284
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: HATTIESBURG, MISS. LENGTH: Medium
The Gamecocks were knocked out of the double-elimination tournament.
Tech will meet sixth-seeded Cincinnati today. The Bearcats, who upset second-seeded Southern Mississippi 4-3 on Thursday, stunned top-seeded Florida State 5-4 in a winners' bracket game Friday night. Cincinnati and FSU entered the game as the only unbeaten teams in the tournament.
The fourth-seeded Hokies (35-21) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when freshman designated hitter Fred Hatfield doubled, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a passed ball. Third-seeded South Carolina (33-25) tied the score in the seventh on singles by Brian Williams, Burke Cromer and Brian Lawler.
In the eighth, Haggas reached on a two-out walk by South Carolina starter Sean Hardwick. Haggas stole second and came home when Cromer, the Gamecocks' shortstop, fielded a grounder off the bat of Tech left fielder Steve Render and threw it into the dirt at first base. The first baseman's throw home was too late to get the freshman.
Tech starter Kirk Goodson (6-5) pitched seven solid innings before giving way to freshman Brad Clontz. The former Patrick County High pitcher held the Gamecocks scoreless in the final two innings to earn his second save of the tournament and fourth of the year.
"Kirk pitched very well," said Tech coach Chuck Hartman, "and I can't say enough about Clontz. Brad comes in and throws strikes. He's done a great job for us all year."
Hatfield accounted for two of Tech's four hits. Cromer was South Carolina's leading hitter, with three singles in four at-bats. Virginia Tech 100000010-242 South Carolina 000000100-171
Goodson, Clontz (8) and Creed; Hardwick, Beatson (9) and Willman. W - Goodson (6-5). L - Hardwick (3-2). Sv - Clontz (4).
by CNB