Clemson Baseball Notes

April 24, 2000

Tigers score 53 runs and hit .376 in going 4-1 last week.

LAST WEEK (4-1) Tuesday, April 18 Elon at Clemson W, 17-5 Wednesday, April 19 Clemson at South Carolina L, 9-8 (12) Friday, April 21 Clemson at Duke W, 8-5 Saturday, April 22 Clemson at Duke W, 8-5 Sunday, April 23 Clemson at Duke W, 12-8

THIS WEEK Wednesday, April 26 Clemson vs. Western Carolina @ Asheville, NC 7:00 PM Friday, April 28 Clemson at Georgia Tech 7:00 PM Saturday, April 29 Clemson at Georgia Tech 1:00 PM Sunday, April 30 Clemson at Georgia Tech 1:30 PM

Noteworthy

Clemson went 4-1 last week and scored 53 runs in the fivegames. Clemson has raised its batting average to .295 thanks tohitting .376 last week. Patrick Boyd, Casey Stone, and KhalilGreene each had seven hits apiece and Ryan Riley had six hits inthree games at Duke from April 21-23. Clemson had 22 hits at Dukeon April 23, including four players with at least three hits. TigerHead Coach Jack Leggettpicked up win #700 at Duke on April 23. Ryan Mottl won his 30thcareer game at Duke on April 23. Clemson is 23-1 when it totals 10hits or more in a game. Nick Glaser’s 11 saves is second most in aseason in Tiger history. The record is 14 held by Scott Winchester(1995). Clemson has one of the nation’s best fielding percentagesof .972. Freshman righthander Jarrod Schmidt has earned a win ineach of his last seven outings, the last six of which have beenstarts. He is 7-0 with a 2.29 ERA on the season. Tiger pitchers areholding opponents to a .187 batting average with two outs and .164average with the bases loaded. Clemson is 4-2 in one-run games and7-1 in two-run games this year. Mike Calitri is 5-for-5 with thebases loaded and has 23 RBIs in only 59 at bats this season.

Tigers To Play Western Carolina in Asheville Wednesday Night Clemson (35-10) will next play Western Carolina (12-32) Wednesday night at Asheville, NC at 7:00 PM. Clemson will start freshman righthander Ryan Childs (3-1, 5.08 ERA) on the mound. Clemson will then travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech beginning Friday at 7:00 PM. The Yellow Jackets are in first place in the ACC with a 14-4 record. Clemson is tied with Florida State for second place with a 11-4 ACC record. Both Saturday and Sunday’s games will be on Fox Sports Net South.

Tiger Bats Come Alive in Sweep of Duke Clemson earned its first ACC three-game road sweep since 1996 as the Tigers won all three game at Duke from April 21-23. Clemson won by scores of 8-5, 8-5, and 12-8. Tiger Head Coach Jack Leggett picked up his 700th career win in the series finale. Clemson scored 28 runs and had 45 hits in the series as it hit .391 against the Blue Devils. The #6 Tigers also committed just one error, that being by a Tiger pitcher on an errant throw. Clemson moved into a tie with Florida State for second place in the ACC standings at 11-4. Casey Stone, Khalil Greene, and Patrick Boyd each had seven hits in the series. Ryan Riley added six hits as well.

In game one, Brian Ellis’ blooped a two-out single to tie the score in the ninth inning and Clemson went on to win 8-5. Greene followed with a seeing-eye single to right field to plate Ellis and put the Tigers ahead for good. Jeff Baker added two insurance runs with a two-run homer to left field. Clemson trailed 3-0 until Mike Calitri hit a pinch-hit, opposite-field, two-run homer in the seventh. Clemson took a 4-3 lead later in the seventh, but Duke took a 5-4 lead thanks to a Nick Glaser’s throwing error and Kevin Kelly sacrifice fly. Matt Additon pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Jeff Baker led the Tigers with two hits and two RBIs.

Game two saw the Tigers win by the same score as game one, 8-5. Clemson jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings and held on late. Boyd’s two-run single in the first and Riley’s two-run triple in the second highlighted the scoring. Stone led all Tigers with three hits, including a double, and two runs scored. Senior Bradley LeCroy, who made his first career start in the outfield, gunned down a runner at home plate from right field in the third inning to save a run. He also had two hits in three at bats. Jarrod Schmidt picked up his seventh consecutive win as he allowed six hits and two runs in 6.2 innings. Mike Proto earned his first career save despite allowing three runs in 2.1 innings.

In game three, Clemson exploded for a season-high 22 hits in a 12-8 victory. Four different Tigers had at least three hits, led by Greene’s 5-for-6 performance. It was the first time a Tiger had five hits in a game in 2000. Boyd added four hits in five at bats, while Stone and Riley each added three hits. Stone also tied the Clemson single-season record with his ninth sacrifice bunt. Clemson’s leadoff batter reached base safely in eight of the nine innings. Clemson was 22-for-44 (.500) at the plate, just off the Tiger single-game batting average record of .518 set against Auburn in 1982. Clemson had at least one hit in every inning and two hits in all but one inning. Ryan Mottl earned the victory as he allowed three runs on six hits in 7.0 innings. The victory was Mottl’s 30th of his career, moving him ahead of Kris Benson into third place in the Tiger recordbook.

Top-Ranked Gamecocks Rally Twice to Down Tigers in 12 Innings Top-ranked South Carolina rallied from a 7-3 deficit and 8-7 deficit in extra innings to down #6 Clemson 9-8 in 12 innings on April 19 at Sarge Frye Field in Columbia in front of 6,307 fans. Clemson built a 7-3 lead, thanks in part to Henr’ Stanley, Ryan Riley, and Justin Singleton, Clemson’s last three hitters in the batting order. The three combined for eight hits and five runs scored. South Carolina tied the game in the ninth inning on a towering home run by Trey Dyson. Clemson went on top 8-7 in the 11th inning on a Jeff Baker homer, but South Carolina tied the game in their half of the 11th. Marcos Rios bases loaded single with one out in the 12th won the game for the Gamecocks, who improved to 38-4 overall. Kevin Lynn made his first career start, as he went 4.2 innings and struck out seven in an impressive outing. Nick Glaser’s pitched 3.1 innings and suffered the loss, his first decision as a Tiger. It was the first time in 21 games in 2000 that Clemson totaled 10 hits or more and lost.

Eleven-Run Seventh Inning Lifts Tigers Over Elon Tuesday Night Clemson scored 11 runs in the seventh inning on its way to a 17-5 win over Elon at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on April 18. Clemson’s 17 runs was a season-high, and it was the most runs allowed by Elon up to that point. Clemson jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Elon came back with four runs in the seventh to make the score 6-5. But Clemson’s 11-run outburst put the game out of reach. Clemson sent 15 batters to the plate in the seventh. Mike Calitri, and Ryan Riley each scored two runs apiece in the inning. Riley also had a double and triple in the seventh. Overall, Casey Stone went 3-for-4 with four runs scored, Khalil Greene 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including a three-run homer, Baker was 4-for-6, and Riley was 3-for-5. Clemson hit four doubles, two triples, and a homer. Ryan Childs allowed three hits in no earned runs in 6.0 innings to earn the win. Elon threw six wild pitches and eight walks, while the Fightin’ Christian offense stranded 13 runners on base.

Time & Date Changes for Virginia Series From May 13-14 Clemson and Virginia will play a doubleheader on May 13 in Charlottesville, VA beginning at noon rather than a game on Friday, May 12 as previously scheduled. The move was made due to conflicting exam schedules for several Cavalier players. Both games on that Saturday will be nine-inning affairs. The third game will still be played on Sunday, May 14 at 1:00 PM as regularly scheduled. Clemson plays at Liberty on May 11 at 4:00 PM.

Injury Update Matt Additon missed the Duke game on April 23 due to illness. He is questionable for the Western Carolina game. Jon Smith missed all three Duke game from April 21-23 due to illness. He is questionable for the Western Carolina game.

Leggett Reaches 700-Win Mark Jack Leggett picked up his 700th career win when Clemson downed Duke 12-8 on April 23. He is in his 21st season as a head coach, including his seventh at Clemson. His 700-412 record (.629) is quite a record for a coach his age. Leggett turned 46 in March of this season and started the season as the winningest active head coach age 45 or younger. Leggett has a 323-125 (.721) record at Clemson.

Defense Performance on Record Pace Clemson’s .972 fielding percentage is well ahead of the team single-season record of .967 (set in 1976). The team has committed just 51 errors in 45 games. Among some of the outstanding individual percentages include second baseman Ryan Riley .987 mark (two errors) and Khalil Greene .952 mark (six errors).

Mottl Picks Up Win #30, Passes Kris Benson Senior righthander Ryan Mottl passed Kris Benson with his 30th career victory when he beat Duke on April 23. He allowed three runs and six hits in 7.0 innings. He upped his record to 7-2 in 2000 with the win. He won 10 games as a freshman, nine as a sophomore, and four as a junior.

Mottl also has 331 career strikeouts, placing him in fifth place in that category in the Clemson recordbook. Mottl also has a 2.88 ERA in 12 starts and one relief appearance in 2000. He has a 3.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2000 as well.

Clemson Career Leaders in Wins

Clemson Career Strikeout Leaders

Schmidt Having Stellar Freshman Season on the Mound Freshman Jarrod Schmidt came to Clemson with accolades such as First-Team All-American and Georgia Gatorade Player-of-the-Year out of Lassiter High School in Marietta, GA. And early on in 2000, he started at first base and outfield. But when the Tigers got into the rigorous college baseball schedule, Schmidt added another position to his repetoire…pitcher. Schmidt, who was “Mr. Do It All” at Lassiter, has done the same at Clemson. Unlike many schools, very few times in recent years has a pitcher played in the field and vice versa. But Schmidt is bucking that tradition as he has solidified himself as a weekend starter in Clemson’s rotation.

Schmidt has earned the win in each of his last seven outings, including a complete game at #8 North Carolina on April 1, the only by a Tiger in 2000. Schmidt allowed no earned runs and seven hits at Chapel Hill. Overall, Schmidt is 7-0 with an ACC-best 2.29 ERA as a weekend starter. Schmidt throws in the high 80s to lower 90s. Schmidt is also hitting .222 with four homers and 21 RBIs at the plate.

Jack Leggett foresees a bright future for Schmidt, and not just on the mound. Schmidt has shown the ability to play catcher along with first base and outfield. Schmidt can also hit for power, and with more consistency, could find a spot in the middle of the Tiger lineup in the future. Expect to see Schmidt in the next few years…all over the field.

Stone Thriving as Tiger Leadoff Hitter Junior outfielder Casey Stone (Abbeville, SC) has cemented his role as the Tiger leadoff hitter of late thanks to his consistent hitting of late. In three games at Duke from April 21-23, he went 7-for-12. Two of his five unsuccessful at bats were line-drive outs to the first baseman. Stone has upped his batting average to .317, third-best on the team. In his last 12 games, he is hitting .396 (21-for-53). He has a .500 on-base percentage when leading off an inning overall and has been an excellent “table-setter” for Jack Leggett. The Tigers are 15-5 when he has been the leadoff hitter in 2000. Stone has eight double, three triples, and 17 stolen bases as well. He also has nine sacrifice bunts this season, which is tied for the most in a season by a Tiger. He already holds the career record in that category with 20.

Riley Triple Happy Junior second baseman Ryan Riley (Seattle, WA) has raised his batting average to .299 thanks to a barrage of hits lately, many of which have gone for three bases. In the last eight games, Riley has four triples, 10 RBIs, and is hitting .429 (15-for-35). He also has six multi-hit games during that stretch. He leads the team overall with six triples. No Tiger has had six triples since Jerome Robinson had six in 1996. Riley did not start the three games before that stretch, but has cemented his spot at second base thanks to his hitting of late and his play in the field. He has committed just two errors and has a remarkable .987 fielding percentage.

Singy On Fire Despite Being Hampered by Hand Injury Junior outfielder Justin Singleton began the season 1-for-28. Then, just when he seemingly started to get his bat going, he suffered a hand injury sliding into a base and missed nearly a month. But Singleton has still managed to keep his hot bat of late, going 12-for-25 since the season-beginning slump. Singleton went 3-for-5 with four RBIs against Ohio on March 11 to begin his streaky hitting. He was 3-for-3 against #11 Wake Forest on April 16 in his first start since the Ohio game on March 11. He also had three hits at #1 South Carolina on April 19. Clemson needs Singleton to continue his torrid hitting as the everyday right fielder.

Baker Leading All Tigers at the Plate Freshman shortstop Jeff Baker (Woodbridge, VA), who is rated as the #1 freshman in the nation by Baseball America, is leading the team with a .350 batting average, including four homers and a team-high 44 RBIs. Baker also has 21 multi-hit games. Baker was a star on the USA Junior National Team that won it all in Taiwan in the summer of 1999. He teamed with South Carolina shortstop Drew Meyer. Baker actually drove home Meyer for the game-winning run in the championship game. Baker was the starting shortstop for the team as well. Baker was one of first 20 players invited for the USA National Team trials set to start in June.

Baker, Schmidt Invited to USA National Team Trials Clemson shortstop Jarrod Schmidt are two of the first 20 collegiate players extended invitations to participate in the 2000 USA Baseball National Team Trials June 16-21 in Tucson, AZ. Baker, a starter in all 45 games, leads the Tigers with a ..350 batting average. Baker was the MVP of the 1999 World Junior Championship as a member of the USA Junior National World Championship team.

Schmidt is a perfect 7-0 on the year and owns a 2.29 ERA in 10 appearances this season. In 63.0 innings of work, the freshman from Marietta, GA, has recorded 45 strikeouts while giving up 58 hits, only 12 of which have gone for extra bases, including just one homer. Schmidt also is a designated hitter for Clemson and has served the team in that capacity in 37 games. He has a .222 batting average with 26 hits, 11 of which have gone for extra bases, including four home runs.

Six of the 20 invitees play in the Atlantic Coast Conference and only two schools – Clemson and Georgia Tech – have more than one player invited to the trials. The national team will be selected from a pool of 35-40 players who will participate in the trials. Additional invitations, totaling 15-20, will be extended in late May.

The team will play several exhibitions against foreign countries, but this is not the team that will represent the United States in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. The Olympic roster will consist of professional players from the minor leagues.

Southern California’s Mike Gillespie will serve as the head coach for the team, which will begin practice on June 16. Tiger Assistant Head Coach Tim Corbin is also a coach on the team. The official team roster will be determined and announced on June 21.

Greene Solid at the Plate and in the Field Sophomore third baseman Khalil Greene has continued right where he left off last season. Overall, the Key West, FL native is hitting ..343 with three homers and 38 RBIs. Greene had a team-season high five hits at Duke on April 23. Greene hit .358 with a Tiger freshman-record 98 hits in ’99. Greene has also made many great plays at third base. He is the only regular in the infield from a season ago. Greene has a ..952 fielding percentage (six errors) this season after having a not-so-great .881 mark in 1999.

Calitri Showing Quality Over Quantity Junior first baseman Mike Calitri (Canton, MA) has made the most of his opportunities this season. He is hitting .305 with three homers and 23 RBIs. Most noteably, he has 23 RBIs in just 59 at bats, an excellent ratio. He is also 5-for-5 with the bases loaded this season. Clemson went on to win that game. He has started just 15 games and never complains when he doesn’t get the call. Against #11 Wake Forest in the second game of a doubleheader on April 15, he was a late addition to the lineup for an injured Michael Johnson. What did he do? He hit a two-run, opposite-field homer, which proved to be the difference in Clemson’s 5-4 win. Also, at Duke on April 21, he sparked a Tiger comeback by hitting a pinch-hit home run. His defense has also been a bright spot this season.

Clemson Offers Promotional Ticket Discounts to Fans This year, Clemson offers special promotional considerations to select fans. Clemson offers a Businessperson Special on all weekday day games at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, where any fan who presents his/her business card will receive free admission. All Sunday home games are Senior Citizens’ Day, where any fan who presents his/her AARP card will receive free admission. Also on Sundays, all youngsters are invited on the field during the national anthem to stand next to their favorite Clemson player. Ticket prices for home games are $5 for adults and $2 for students. Clemson students who present their student ID will receive free admission.

ACC Tournament Tickets on Sale in Clemson Ticket Office Tickets for the Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament are available at the Clemson University Athletic Ticket Office. The tickets are for general admission seating and are available for $45 each.

The tournament will be held May 16-21 at the Charlotte Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC. The ticket includes access to all 10 sessions. The cost of the ticket book is $45 for adults and $30 for students (with ID) and senior citizens, ages 60 and above.

Tickets can be ordered by call the Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-CLEMSON or in person by going to the office located at Game 9 of Memorial Stadium between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. The deadline to order tickets through the Clemson Athletic Ticket Office is Friday, April 28.