COLLEGE WORLD SERIES : Tennessee Defeats Clemson Thanks to Helton’s Four-Hitter

Todd Helton, Baseball America’s college player of the year and one of the nation’s best hitters, threw a four-hitter to lead Tennessee over Clemson, 3-1, Saturday night in the first round of the College World Series.

Helton (8-2), who was drafted No. 8 overall by the Colorado Rockies in Thursday’s amateur draft, struck out nine and walked two in his fourth complete game in as many starts. He also avenged one of his losses, 7-6, to Clemson in March.

The victory moves the fifth-seeded Volunteers (53-14) into Monday’s Bracket Two second round against Cal State Fullerton.

Fourth-seeded Clemson (54-13) takes on eighth seed Stanford (39-24) in an elimination game Monday.

Tennessee scored one run in the first inning on Scott Schroeffel’s homer and added another in the fifth off Jason Dawsey (11-4).

Helton gave up a run in the sixth. Ray Espinosa scored for the Volunteers in the eighth inning when Schroeffel walked but ball four got past Clemson catcher Matthew LeCroy.