Clemson vs. Oklahoma State Postgame Notes

June 1, 2009

Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery

Clemson is now 11-0 under Jack Leggett in home NCAA Tournament games that could clinch a regional or Super Regional championship.

In Jack Leggett’s 11 home NCAA regional or Super Regional titles, Clemson had suffered a loss earlier in the tournament just once. That was in the 2002 Super Regional when Clemson lost the opener of the three game series, then won the last two games.

Clemson is now 25-2 in home NCAA Tournament games in the 21st century. The only losses have been to Arkansas in a Super Regional game in 2002 and earlier in this tournament to Oklahoma State.

Leggett is now 56-31 in NCAA Tournament play, including 36-6 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. With the 56 NCAA tournament wins, he is Clemson’s winningest coach in postseason play. Bill Wilhelm had 42 NCAA Tournament wins in his career.

Kyle Parker had the biggest hit of the game with a two-run single with two out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Clemson trailed 5-4 before that hit, which put the Tigers in the lead 6-5, the eventual final score. Parker had been just 1-for-10 at the plate in the NCAA Tournament prior to that hit and was 5 for his last 30 at the plate.

Clemson trailed 5-4 entering the bottom of the eighth inning this evening. Clemson had been just 2-14 when trailing after seven innings entering tonight’s game.

Chris Epps was the most valuable player of the Clemson Regional. He entered the regional with just two home runs all year, then hit two in this regional, including one tonight that brought Clemson to within two runs at 5-3.

Clemson enters the Super Regional with a 44-20 record and 19 wins in its last 25 games.

Clemson advances to the Super Regional and will face Arizona State and Head Coach Pat Murphy. This will be just the second meeting on the baseball diamond between the two schools.

Arizona State defeated Clemson at the 1977 College World Series, 10-7 in Omaha, NE. That was the first game of the 1977 College World Series for both teams. Murphy has a 1-0 record against Clemson. As Notre Dame’s head coach, he led the Irish to an 8-1 win over Clemson in the 1994 NCAA Tournament at Clemson.