Baseball To Host #7 Auburn For Three-Game Set

March 11, 2004

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Clemson vs. Auburn Clemson (5-5), ranked as high as #25, will play host to #7 Auburn (14-1) this weekend at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Game times are 4:00 PM (Friday), 2:00 PM (Saturday), and 2:00 PM (Sunday). Friday’s game will be broadcast live on the radio by WCCP, 104.9 FM out of Clemson. The other two games will be broadcast live on the radio by Clemson Tiger Sports Network and can be heard live via the internet at www.clemsontigers.com. Live stats will also be available on Clemson’s website for all three games. Sunday’s game will be broadcast live on television by Comcast/Charter Southeast as well.

Saturday’s game against Auburn is “Family Day,” as fans can gain admission for their entire family for just $12. The following day, youngsters will be allowed on the playing field and can stand next to their favorite Tiger during the National Anthem.

The Series Clemson and Auburn have met 84 times on the diamond, with Auburn holding a 43-38-3 lead in the series dating back to 1901. Ironically, the legendary John Heisman, who was also a football coach on the Plains, coached his first two games as Clemson’s head baseball coach against Auburn (both victories) in the 1901 season. He also defeated Auburn in 1903 and was 3-0 against the Tigers from Alabama.

Despite the five-game lead for Auburn, Clemson has won 13 of the last 17 meetings, including sweeping Auburn in a three-game series at Clemson in 2002.

Auburn won three of four games during the 2003 season (all at Auburn), including a 15-0 win in the Auburn Regional that ended Clemson’s year. The series is tied 15-15 in games played at Clemson, even though the Tigers have won six of the last seven games at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Jack Leggett is 5-4 against Auburn as the Tiger skipper and was 6-12 as the head coach at Western Carolina. While at Clemson, he is also 5-4 against Auburn when the SEC Tigers are ranked in the top 25 and 1-0 when they are ranked in the top 10. Leggett, in his 11th season as Clemson’s head coach, is 57-32 (.640) against the SEC.

The Starting Pitchers Auburn will start senior righthander Cory Dueitt (2-0, 1.74 ERA) on the mound Friday. The Hoover, AL native has made two starts and four relief appearances. In 20.2 innings pitched, he has allowed just 12 hits and four walks while striking out 17.

Clemson will counter with sophomore righthander Jason Berken (1-1, 4.50 ERA) Friday. The De Pere, WI native has started two games and allowed just six hits in 10.0 innings pitched.

On Saturday, Auburn will start junior lefty Arnold Hughey (3-0, 3.46 ERA) on the mound. The Venice, FL native has started five games for a total of 26.0 innings pitched. Hughey, who allowed just one run in 6.0 innings pitched in Clemson’s season opener last year, has struck out 27 against only five walks.

Clemson will send out junior lefty Tyler Lumsden (0-0, 3.75 ERA) Saturday. The Roanoke, VA native has allowed just three walks while striking out 13 in 12.0 innings pitched this season.

The SEC Tigers will start freshman lefthander Mike Felix (2-0, 2.50 ERA) Sunday. The Panama City, FL native has started four games for a total of 18.0 innings pitched. He has allowed just 12 hits while striking out 17.

Clemson’s Sunday starter will be determined at a later date.

Auburn Overview Auburn enters its first action away from home with a 14-1 record, including a 4-2 win over Troy State Tuesday. The Tigers, led by fourth-year Head Coach Steve Renfroe, have swept three-game series against Western Carolina, Hofstra, and #23 Virginia Commonwealth. They have also beaten Boston College twice, Samford, and #12 Georgia Tech. Boston College handed Auburn its only loss.

The Tigers are hitting .288 as a team, led by Josh Sullivan’s .400 average. Josh Bell is the Tigers’ leading power hitter, with five homers and 18 RBIs. Auburn also has a 2.91 team ERA. Closer Steven Register has three saves and a 3-0 record in six relief appearances. The pitching staff has held opponents to a .209 batting average and four homers all season. Auburn also sports a .972 fielding percentage.

Clemson Overview Clemson enters the Auburn series with a 5-5 record thanks to a 6-0 win at Wofford Wednesday. It was the Tigers’ third team shutout of the year. The Tigers have outscored their opponents 61-36 despite the .500 record.

Clemson is hitting .268 as a team, led by Brad McCann’s .386 batting average. Lou Santangelo is also hitting .361 with a team-high three homers and 10 RBIs. Clemson also sports a 3.25 ERA and .969 fielding percentage.

Tigers Blank Wofford 6-0 Every Tiger starter had at least one hit, as #25 Clemson defeated Wofford 6-0 in front of a record crowd of 2,131 at Russell C. King Field in Spartanburg. It was Clemson’s first game played at Wofford since 1977. Kris Harvey pitched 5.0 shutout innings to earn his third win of the year, while Russell Triplett led the Tiger bats with two doubles and a single. Clemson had 14 hits in all, while holding the Terriers to just six. Clemson jumped out to a 5-0 lead after four innings and never looked back, as the pitching staff stranded eight Terriers on the basepaths.

Businessperson Special Tuesday vs. Coastal Carolina Clemson’s against Coastal Carolina on Tuesday, March 16 is a “Businessperson Special Day,” as anyone can receive free admission when they present their business card.

Webcasts Available for Texas Tech Series Clemson baseball fans that will not be traveling to Lubbock, TX for the three-game series at Texas Tech from March 19-21 can tune in via the internet, as all three games of the series will be webcasted through Texas Tech’s College Sports Pass.

The College Sports Pass will provide both audio (Red Raider Baseball Radio Network) and video of the three game series between Texas Tech and Clemson and it can be accessed through Texas Tech’s official athletic website, www.texastech.com. Fans can purchase a month-long subscription for just $6.95, and that will allow full access to the site for the weekend. The College Sports Pass works in conjunction with Real Networks and users must have the Real Player installed on their computer system.

For more information, including account setup and technical support, log on to www.texastech.com.

Santangelo Solid Behind the Plate Junior catcher Lou Santangelo (Colts Neck, NJ) transferred to Clemson from Seton Hall prior to this season and has made an immediate impact. In two seasons as the Seton Hall starter behind the plate, he totaled just three home runs. He already has a team-high three homers and 10 RBIs in nine games in 2004. All three of his homers have been three-run shots, as he has been the Tiger cleanup hitter almost every game. He has also been solid behind the plate. He has thrown out four base stealers and has been a big factor in the development of the Tigers’ pitching staff. Baseball America lists the aggressive hitter and outspoken player as a top-100 prospect for this year’s draft as well.

Harvey 3-0 With 2.25 ERA Sophomore righthander Kris Harvey (Catawba, NC) was hampered most of last season with shoulder problems, but has regained the form in 2004 that made him a fifth-round draft pick out of high school. The son of former Major League pitcher Bryan Harvey has made a team-high four starts and has a 3-0 record along with a 2.25 ERA. In 16.0 innings pitched (15.0 of which have come away from home), he has allowed just 12 hits while striking out 17. He has also yet to allow an extra base hit.