November 4, 2001

Ryche Take 2-0 Lead in Game and Series

AKRON, OH - Tim Hudson tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings, out-dueling South Carolina ace
Roger Clemens, giving the Akron Ryche a 2-0 lead in this series.  Clemens allowed 
just two runs (one earned) on three hits through 7 1/3 innings, but got no support
from his teammates at the plate.

The scoring began in the second inning when John Vander Wal led off the inning with a
home run off Clemens.  It would be the only run Akron would need today.

In the fifth, South Carolina attempted to start a rally when their first two batters
both reached base.  Clemens then tried to bunt both runners into scoring position, 
but lead runner Paul Konerko was cut down at third.  Barry Larkin and Bobby Higginson
both failed to score the runner from second, popping out.

South Carolina got a runner to second base again in the sixth when Ray Lankford 
walked and Mitch Meluskey singled with two outs.  But Konerko left them stranded when
he grounded out to third to end the inning.

In the seventh, back-to-back walks with two outs led to Hudson's departure after 115
pitches.  Nelson Cruz then came into the game to pitch to the dangerous Mike Sweeney,
who sent a fly ball to the warning track in left, ending the inning.

The next inning, pinch hitter Ron Gant doubled off reliever Ray King.  Slugger
Glenallen Hill then stepped to the plate to face reliever Mark Wohlers, and Hill 
grounded to third for out number two.  Konerko then popped out to left to waste yet 
another scoring opportunity.

In the bottom of that inning, Clemens ran into trouble when he walked Quilvio Veras
with one out.  Mike Remlinger then came into the game to relieve Clemens, and his
first throw skipped under the glove of first baseman Sweeney, putting the speedy 
Veras at second.  Two batters later, Veras scored on a double by Adrian Beltre, giving
the Ryche an insurance run.

In the ninth, Akron closer Trevor Hoffman easily retired the side in order, securing
win number two in this best-of-seven series.  The series now shifts to South Carolina.