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Clemson Baseball Hosts Florida Atlantic

March 2, 1998

Tuesday, March 3Florida Atlantic at Clemson 3:00 PMWednesday, March 4Florida Atlantic at Clemson 2:00 PMFlorida Atlantic Quick Facts1998 Record:Head Coach: Kevin CooneySeries Record:  First MeetingPos #   Player          B-T Cl.   G-GS    Avg.  HR  RBIC   15  Derek Borgert   R-R *Jr. 12-7    .188    1   5or  41  Brian Ellis     L-R *So.  8-6    .471    1   81B  25  Jason Harris    L-L Jr.  13-13   .432    3  132B  18  Kurt Bultmann   R-R Jr.  13-13   .407    3  12SS  4   Doug Roper      S-R *So. 13-13   .474    1  113B  8   Brian Holstad   R-R *So. 12-12   .261    0   4LF  9   Peter Nystrom   R-R Fr.  13-11   .400    2  13CF  24  Patrick Boyd    S-R Fr.  13-13   .229    2  12RF  22  Matt Padgett    L-R Jr.  12-12   .415    1   5DH  1   Henri Stanley   L-L So.  13-7    .417    2   5or  17  Justin Hyde     R-R Jr.   9-4    .400    1   6         #  Player          Cl. W-L G-S ERA   IP     BB   SO    39  Matt White, LHP Jr. 1-1 4-3 6.48  16.2    9   15    27  Ryan Mottl, RHP So. 3-0 4-4 4.03  22.1    6   19        Head Coach Jack Leggett* Career Record 592-360 (.622)    (19th season)* Record at Clemson 215-73 (.747)    (5th season)    Clemson Rankings* Baseball America  21st* Collegiate Baseball   14th* USA Today/Baseball Weekly 13thDate    BA  CB  USAPre     NR  16  222-9     23  16  NP2-16    23  16  162-23    21  14  133-23-93-163-233-304-64-134-204-275-45-115-185-26FinalNP - no poll

Another Sweep For Clemson, Has Nine-Game Winning Streak

Clemson swept UNC Wilmington in a three game series on Feb. 27-Mar. 1. The wins gave Clemson a nine-game winning streak and improved the Tigers’ record to 12-1.

In game one, Ryan Mottl pitched seven shutout innings to earn his third win as Clemson defeated UNC Wilmington 13-0. The win was also the seventh consecutive win dating back to 1997. The shutout was the first for the Tigers in 1998. Shortstop Doug Roper hit his first career home run as the Tigers had 13 hits, including six for extra bases.

Game two featured more of the Clemson bats. Behind 15 hits and a 12-run third inning, the Tigers out scored the Seahawks 19-6. The Tigers put 12 runners on base before UNC Wilmington made an out. Skip Browning earned the victory, going five innings. Kurt Bultmann added two doubles. Clemson also committed no errors for the first time of the season. The Tigers also scored double-digit runs for the fifth straight game.

In Game three, Mike Paradis pitched seven innings, allowing only four hits and three runs as Clemson defeated the Seahawks 6-3. Donovan Harrison pitched the final two innings without giving up a hit to earn his first save as a Tiger. Kurt Bultmann hit his seventh double of the season and drove in two runs in Clemson’s four-run first inning.

Tigers Out-Hit UNC Charlotte In Make-up Game

Clemson pounded out 16 hits en route to an 11-7 victory over UNC Charlotte on Feb. 26. Both teams had each lost a game due to inclement weather in the previous weeks. Sophomore Brian Ellis led the Tiger charge with a career-high four hits, including his first career home run. Clemson used a five-run fifth inning to break the game open. Freshman Peter Nystrom had a perfect 3-for-3 day, including two doubles.

Clemson Sweeps Monarchs

Clemson swept the three-game series against Old Dominion on Feb. 20-22 at Tiger Field. With the three wins, Clemson upped its record to 8-1.

In game one, a see-saw affair ensued as Old Dominion took an early 1-0 lead in the second. The Tigers responded with run-scoring doubles by Brian Ellis and Brian Holstad. After the Monarchs took back the lead in the fourth inning, Clemson scored two runs in the fifth off a bases load hit-by-pitch and a bases loaded double play. Closer Scott Clackum struck out Joseph Troilo with runners on the corners and two outs in the ninth to preserve the Tigers 5-4 victory.

In game two, Clemson rallied from a 6-1 deficit to win another one-run game 11-10 over Old Dominion. The Tigers did so in the bottom of the ninth on a Kurt Bultmann bases loaded walk to end the game. Earlier, the Monarchs’ Tony Gsell had hit a game-tying grand slam. Clemson was led at the plate by Doug Roper, who continued his torrid hitting at the ninth spot in the lineup with a 4-for-5 performance.

In game three, Clemson had 18 hits en route to a 12-7 win. Nine different Tigers had hits. Matt Padgett and Henri Stanley had homers in the effort. After a 100 minute rain delay, the Monarchs took a 5-4 lead. But the Tigers responded with eight consecutive runs. Brian Adams picked up the win in relief. Peter Nystrom also added two doubles.

Leggett Has 41-7 Record in Februarys

Under Head Coach Jack Leggett, Clemson has gotten off to some fast starts, mainly in the month of February. In his five February’s at Clemson, Leggett has amassed a 41-7 (.854) record in the month of February. Leggett was 8-2 in 1994, 6-1 in 1995, 7-2 in 1996, 9-1 in 1997, and 11-1 in 1998.

Freshman Nystrom An Instant Hit

Despite being in the shadows of the highly touted Patrick Boyd, Peter Nystrom has made an instant impact on the Tiger offense. The freshman from Dunedin, FL is hitting .400 and has five doubles, two home runs, and 13 RBIs. The 13 RBIs ties him for the team lead with Jason Harris. Nystrom has played in all 13 games, starting 11 in left-field.

Calitri Homers In First Career At Bat

Red-shirt freshman Mike Calitri waited a whole year to do what few have ever done. The Canton, MA native hit an opposite field two-run homer in his first career at bat in the Tigers 16-4 win over East Carolina on Feb. 14. Calitri is 2-for-6 on the season, including a double and three RBIs in limited playing time at first base.

Roper Comes Back Strong

After missing all but one game of the 1997 season, redshirt sophomore shortstop Doug Roper has started 1998 with a bang. The Vidalia, GA native has 18 hits in 38 at bats for a .474 batting average. He also has four stolen bases, second most on the team. Roper was 5-for-47 (.106) entering the ’98 season.

Harris Impressive As Tigers’ First Baseman

Junior Jason Harris is hitting .432 with three homers and a team tying high 13 RBIs as the Tigers’ new first baseman and cleanup hitter in 1998. The Brevard College transfer has also scored 14 runs and been hit by pitch four times. He also has not committed an error in 134 chances and has struck out only twice in 44 at bats.

Bultmann Picks Up Where He Left Off

Kurt Bultmann has started 1998 with a bang after setting the Clemson single-season record for doubles with 31. The junior from Seminole, FL hit two doubles in the three-game Olive Garden Classic. He also had six hits in 14 at bats and was named the tournament MVP. The second baseman has moved over from the shortstop position now that Doug Roper is back from a season-ending injury in 1997.

Bultmann is currently hitting .407 with seven doubles, a triple, three home runs, and 12 RBIs in 13 games.

Bultmann now has 48 career doubles, tying him with Matthew LeCroy for 14th all time in Clemson history. Below is a look at the Clemson career doubles leaders:

Rk. Name (Years)              Doubles1.  Gary Burnham (1994-97)       772.  Bert Heffernan (1985-88)     633.  Chuck Baldwin (1984-87)      624.  Shane Monahan (1993-95)      605.  Jim Crowley (1988-91)        576.  Jim McCollom (1982-85)       567.  Kevin Northrup (1989-92)     55    Billy McMillon (1991-93)     559.  Brian Kowitz (1988-90)       5310. Mike Milchin (1987-89)       51    Robert Bonnette (1976-79)    5112. Steve Baucom (1984-87)       49    Jeff Miller (1990-93)        4914. Kurt Bultmann (1996-present) 48    Matthew LeCroy (1995-97)     48ACC Coaches Pick Clemson To Finish Second1.  Florida State (3)   732.  Clemson (2)         70    Georgia Tech (3)    704.  N.C. State          455.  Wake Forest (1)     446.  Duke                387.  North Carolina      318.  Virginia            239.  Maryland            11

1998 Preseason Honors

Clemson * #3 recruiting class by Baseball AmericaPatrick Boyd * Top newcomer in the ACC by Baseball America * #5 overall prospect in the ACCKurt Bultmann * Third-Team All-American by Collegiate BaseballRyan Mottl, P * #10 prospect in the ACC by Baseball America * Second-Team All-American by The Sporting News * Third-Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball

Mottl, Boyd Among Nine USA Baseball Team Training Camp Invitees

Clemson sophomore pitcher Ryan Mottl (Florissant, MO) and freshman outfielder Patrick Boyd (Palm Harbor, FL) were among the first nine players invited to the USA Baseball National Team summer camp.

Boyd, rated as the top newcomer in the ACC by Baseball America, is the only freshman amongst the nine invitees. Mottl, a First-Team All-ACC pitcher in 1997 as a freshman, was a member of the 1997 USA Baseball National Team. Both players attended the 1998 USA Baseball National Team Trials at Hi Corbett Field in November, 1997.

Camp is tentatively scheduled to open June 1 at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson., AZ, home of USA Baseball and Cactus League spring training home of the Colorado Rockies. The USA Baseball National Team will begin its competition in mid-June and play approximately 30 games in preparation for the International Baseball Association’s XXXIII World Championship in Italy on July 21 – August 2.

Seven Current Tigers Picked In Major League Draft

The following is a list of current Clemson players selected in the Major League draft:

Player              Year    Team                   RoundPatrick Boyd        1997    Seattle Mariners         2ndMike Paradis        1996    Oakland Athletics        7thJustin Singleton    1997    Arizona Diamondbacks     9thSkip Browning       1996    Florida Marlins         11thPeter Nystrom       1997    Arizona Diamondbacks    13thPaul Stryhas        1997    San Francisco Giants    21stRyan Mottl          1996    Tampa Bay Devil Rays    39th

Clemson’s 203 Wins since 1994 Second Best In The Nation

The barometer of a great season in college baseball is getting to Omaha and winning 50 games. Since Jack Leggett took over as Clemson’s head coach in 1994, the Tigers have won 203 games (excluding 1998) for an average of almost 51 per season. Included in that total is 53 wins against top 25 teams. Included among the 53 wins is 24 victories over top 10 teams.

Tiger Field Rated Among Best In The Country

Beautiful Tiger Field has helped Clemson gain one of the best home-field advantages in the country. The Tigers have won over 84 percent of its home ACC games and 82 percent of its overall home games, dating back to 1970.

Baseball America recently published its rankings of the top baseball stadiums in the country based on aesthetics, playing conditions, and amenities. Tiger Field was ranked #8 in the country in Baseball America’s preseason issue, which is also tops in the ACC.

        Date        Opponent    ResultFeb. 6  #   South Florida   W, 4-2Feb. 7  #   Central Florida W, 7-6Feb. 8  #   Auburn          W, 9-4Feb. 13     EAST CAROLINA   L, 1-6Feb. 14     EAST CAROLINA   W, 16-4Feb. 15     EAST CAROLINA   W, 8-2Feb. 20     OLD DOMINION    W, 5-4Feb. 21     OLD DOMINION    W, 11-10Feb. 22     OLD DOMINION    W, 12-7Feb. 26     NORTH CAROLINA-CHARLOTTE    W, 11-7Feb. 27     NORTH CAROLINA-WILMINGTON   W, 13-0Feb. 28     NORTH CAROLINA-WILMINGTON   W, 19-6Mar. 1      NORTH CAROLINA-WILMINGTON   W, 6-3Date        Opponent    TimeMar. 3      FLORIDA ATLANTIC    3:00Mar. 4      FLORIDA ATLANTIC    2:00Mar. 6      STETSON 3:00Mar. 7      STETSON 2:00Mar. 8      STETSON 2:00Mar. 10     COASTAL CAROLINA    3:00Mar. 13     MAINE   3:00Mar. 14     MAINE (DH)  12:00Mar. 17     WESTERN CAROLINA    7:00Mar. 18     at Western Carolina 3:00Mar. 20 *   MARYLAND    7:15Mar. 21 *   MARYLAND    2:00Mar. 22 *   MARYLAND    2:00Mar. 25     THE CITADEL 7:00Mar. 27 *   WAKE FOREST 7:15Mar. 28 *   WAKE FOREST 7:00Mar. 29 *   WAKE FOREST 2:00Mar. 31     GEORGIA 7:15Apr. 1      at South Carolina   7:00Apr. 3  *   at Virginia 3:00Apr. 4  *   at Virginia 2:00Apr. 5  *   at Virginia 1:00Apr. 7      FURMAN  7:00Apr. 8      CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 7:00Apr. 10 *   at Duke 3:00Apr. 11 *   at Duke 1:00Apr. 12 *   at Duke 1:00Apr. 15     NORTH CAROLINA-ASHEVILLE    7:00Apr. 17 *   N.C. STATE  7:15Apr. 18 *   N.C. STATE  7:00Apr. 19 *   N.C. STATE  2:00Apr. 21     SOUTH CAROLINA  7:15Apr. 22     at Georgia  7:00Apr. 24 *   FLORIDA STATE   7:15Apr. 25 *   FLORIDA STATE   7:00Apr. 26 *   FLORIDA STATE   #%1:00May 3   *   at Georgia Tech 1:30May 4   *   at Georgia Tech #7:00May 5   *   at Georgia Tech #7:00May 8   *   at North Carolina   7:00May 9   *   at North Carolina   1:00May 10  *   at North Carolina   #4:00M.12-17     ACC Tournament @ Durham, NCM.21-24     NCAA RegionalsM.29-J.6        College World Series @ Omaha, NE# - Olive Garden Classic @ Kissimmee, FL; * - ACC game; # - televised on Fox SportSouth; % - tape delayed (4:00)

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