Tigers Coming Off Sweep Of James Madison

Feb. 27, 2000

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson swept James Madison from Feb. 25-27 by scores of 5-1, 12-4, and 5-3 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. In all three games, the Dukes left more runners on base than the Tigers. Clemson ran its winning streak to six games with the sweep.

Clemson took game one over the Dukes by a 5-1 score. Scott Berney ran his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 22.0 innings by allowing only six hits and one walk in 8.0 innings, as he earned the win. Nick Glaser struck out the two batters he faced with the bases loaded to earn his third save. Clemson scored four runs in the second inning. Four Tigers and four Dukes had two hits apiece. James Madison left nine runners on base.

Game two saw the Tiger bats come alive to the tune of 10 runs in one inning in Clemson’s 12-4 win. After four scoreless innings, Clemson had 10 consecutive hits (with a walk in between) and scored 10 fifth-inning runs. Jarrod Schmidt broke an 0-for-19 slump to start the scoring with an RBI single and added a two-run double later in the inning. Starter Ryan Mottl pitched 5.0 shutout innings, allowing just two hits, to pick up his 18th career win at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

Clemson closed out the sweep with a 5-3 win in game three. Jeff Baker brought home the first three Tiger runs on two different doubles while reliever Matt Additon picked up the win in 0.2 relief innings. Nick Glaser pitched the final 2.0 innings without allowing a run to earn his fourth save. James Madison left eight runners on base to Clemson’s four.

Pitching Vastly Improved Over 1999

The Clemson pitching staff struggled in 1999 with its team ERA of 5.82. But already this season, there is a noticeable difference in every area thanks to the leadership of veteran Tigers in Scott Berney and Ryan Mottl. Below is a comparison of the team’s stats through nine games in ’99 and 2000.

Berney, Mottl, & Co. Stepping Up on the Mound

Clemson has a 1.44 team ERA, and it isn’t due to playing second-rate competition. The Tigers allowed just six runs combined to three ranked teams (two of which were in the top seven in the nation) in the ACC Disney Blast, allowed just one earned run to Old Dominion, which has been a consistent 35+ win team year in and year out, and allowed just six earned runs against James Madison, who entered the series with a 6-2 record.

Senior transfer Scott Berney, who is 3-0 and has not allowed a run and just one walk in 22.0 innings, and others have brought a contagious attitude of aggressiveness and competitiveness to Kevin O’Sullivan’s pitching staff.

Along with Berney, Ryan Mottl has seemed to find himself again. He is 3-0 with an 0.56 ERA in 16.0 innings. He now has 294 career strikeouts and needs just six to become only the sixth Tiger in history to reach the 300 strikeout mark. Clemson has appeared to find a closer as well in junior college transfer Nick Glaser. In five shut-downs, he he has allowed no runs while strking out nine in 5.2 innings and has four saves. As a whole, the Tiger pitching staff in 81.0 innings has allowed just 52 hits, 13 earned runs, one homer, and 26 walks while striking out 69.

Leggett Braceless Once Again

Head Coach Jack Leggett had a scary accident in which he nearly became paralyzed back in December while skiing in Colorado. He suffered a broken neck and wore a neck brace for over six weeks. Despite the serious injury, Leggett did not miss any preseason practice time.

Just after the meeting with the umpires and Old Dominion coach at home plate and right before Clemson’s team huddle on Feb. 18, Leggett tore off his neck brace and threw it away for good, surprising everyone except people that know the 45-year old coach. He did not coach in the third-base box in the ACC Disney Blast, but returned back to his spot for the Old Dominion series. Leggett still suffers from stiffness and the lack of full range of motion in his neck, but is on track to make a recovery.

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.

Clemson 38-13 Against SEC Teams Under Leggett

In six seasons under Head Coach Jack Leggett, Clemson has had tremendous success against the Southeastern Conference. Leggett’s record against the SEC as the Tigers’ skipper is 38-13 (.745), including 16 wins against top-25 teams. Leggett has at least a .500 record against all seven SEC schools he has faced while at Clemson. The Tigers have also won nine straight games against SEC foes. Below is a list of Leggett’s record at Clemson against each of the seven SEC member schools he has faced:

Clemson Looks to Keep Streaks Alive in 2000

Clemson has participated in 13 consecutive NCAA Tournaments and has won at least 40 games for 14 straight seasons. Both marks rank in the top-five in the country currently. Clemson is tied for fourth in consecutive tournament appearances, trailing only Miami (FL) (27), Florida State (22), and Oklahoma State (19). Wichita State also a 13-year run in the tournament. As far as consecutive 40-win seasons, Clemson is fourth in the country with its 14-year streak. The Tigers trail only Florida State (22), Wichita State (22), and Oklahoma State (20) in that area. Notre Dame and Louisiana State are tied for fifth with 11 straight 40-win seasons.