Clemson Weekly Baseball Notes

Feb. 8, 1998

Olive Garden Classic Recap

Clemson opened its 1998 season in the Olive Garden Classic in Kissimmee, FL. The Tigers went 3-0 in one of the most prestigous tournaments in the country to earn championship honors over three teams that participated in the 1997 NCAA Tournament.

In game one, sophomore Ryan Mottl led the Tigers to a 4-2 victory over South Florida in the opening game of the tournament. Mottl pitched seven innings, only allowing a two-run home run by Mike Pilger. Scott Clackum pitched two perfect innings to record his first save of 1998.

In game two versus Central Florida, junior college transfer Jason Harris hit his first home run as a Tiger to propel Clemson to a 7-6 come-from-behind win. Doug Roper went 3-for-3 in the effort, and Scott Clackum picked up his second save in as many games.

In the final game, Clemson used a seven-run sixth inning to defeat 10th-ranked Auburn 9-4. It was Leggett’s 25th win over a top-10 team in four-plus seasons as Clemson’s head coach. Sophomore Mike Paradis pitched four innings of relief, allowing only two hits and no runs to gain the victory and the tournament championship. Junior Derek Borgert led the way at the plate, belting a two-run homer, his first long ball since his freshman season.

Kurt Bultmann was named the tournament MVP, by going 6-for-14 with two doubles and four RBIs. Bultmann was joined by first baseman Jason Harris and righthander Ryan Mottl on the all-tournament team.

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.

ACC 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 HonorsClemson*   #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 Singleton1997    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.

Upcoming GamesFriday, Feb. 13East Carolina at Clemson    3:00 PMSaturday, Feb. 14East Carolina at Clemson    2:00 PMSunday, Feb. 15East Carolina at Clemson    1:00 PMEast Carolina Quick Facts1998 Record:Head Coach:Record (Years):Series Record:  Clemson leads 8-2