Monday May 14, 2007

Was That The One?; Outside the Lines; Schedule

Was That The One?
This is the fourth time this year that I am writing a blog that states, “I am not ready to give up on this baseball team!”

Please don’t get me wrong, this team still has issues. This is not a team that is as talented as the one we thought we would see in December. But this team still has enough talent to have a chance to win a championship.

Last year I wrote a blog after the ACC tournament that said Omaha is nice and the regionals and super-regionals were going to be fun but let’s not forget to celebrate an ACC title. Wouldn’t that title be special this year?

Earlier in the year I asked could the Georgia sweep be the catalyst to the season shifting into high gear? Could the big come-from-behind win get the Tigers some momentum? It did not.

I then asked was the big home run in extra innings by Doug Hogan to cap the wonderful comeback against Georgia Tech the big blow that would help the Tigers climb back into championship form? Taking two of three from the Yellow Jackets might be the one trigger to get this team going. It was not.

So now I ask, ‘Will Taylor Harbin’s big extra base hit to help lead the Tigers to a three run ninth in Saturday’s game be the difference? Or will we be able to look back at D’Alessio’s three-run homer Sunday as the difference?”

I do not know what the future holds for the Tigers but Saturday’s win was the biggest of the season. Clemson was coming off of losses to Furman and a trouncing at the hands of FSU on Friday night. The Tigers got behind 6-1 on Saturday. If Clemson does not come back Saturday do they win on Sunday? How would their seeding be affected in the ACC and NCAA tournaments? Would even have a remote chance at hosting a regional?

Harbin delivered perhaps the season’s biggest hit that plated two Tigers and lead to Hogan’s RBI fielder’s choice and a 7-6 Clemson win.

In Sunday’s game, D’Alessio battled in an 11-pitch at-bat and rocketed a three-run homer early to give the Tigers the lead. Could Clemson have won two of three without this key at-bat?

So what will happen? Will Clemson host a regional? Can this team win a title?

If the bullpen continues to pitch well then Clemson can be a factor in tournament play. The ACC tournament format is different but the bullpen will still be one of the biggest keys. Three-run homers will help but Farina and Clyne may be the most important players in this format.

I do think Clemson still has a decent chance to host. This weekend ends the regular season with a three game series in Raleigh and the Wolfpack are coming off of their biggest series win of the year. If Clemson can take two of three at NC State it could have 37 wins in the regular season. In most years 40 is almost a guarantee to host.

So will we look back at Taylor Harbin’s double or D-Lo’s blast as the big hit? Check back next week.
The Magic Number
Clemson has made the NCAA tournament in each of Jack Leggett’s 13 seasons and will make it again this year. The question is can they still host a regional and/or super-regional? Here is a look at the wins each team had heading into the ACC tournament and sites of the regionals:
1994: 55 wins. Clemson hosts.
1995: 50 wins. Clemson hosts.
1996: 45 wins. Clemson hosts.
1997: 40 wins. Clemson plays in Texas Tech Regional.
1998: 42 wins. Clemson hosts.

NCAA Changes to Super-Regional Format in 1999
1999: 37 wins. Clemson plays in Arkansas regional and Texas A&M super-regional.
2000: 45 wins. Clemson hosts regional and super-regional.
2001: 38 wins. Clemson hosts regional but travels to Miami super-regional.
2002: 47 wins. Clemson hosts regional and super-regional.
2003: 38 wins. Clemson travels to Auburn regional.
2004: 36 wins. Clemson travels to Georgia regional.
2005: 39 wins. Clemson hosts regional but travels to Baylor super-regional.
2006: 47 wins. Clemson hosts regional and super regional.

The NCAA went to the super-regional format in 1999. The Tigers have won every super-regional in Clemson. In fact, Clemson has been to the College World Series 11 times and six times they clinched at home. Two College World Series births (1958,1959) were clinched on a neutral field (Gastonia, NC). Only three times have the Tigers gone on the road to clinch a College World Series birth. In 1976 Clemson beat USC in the regional but clinched against Furman. So only twice has Clemson beaten a home team to clinch a College World Series birth (1977-Miami 1990-Maine). Clemson clinched a College World Series birth at home in 1980, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002 and 2006. Only three times has Clemson hosted with a chance at the College World Series and not gotten there (1981, 1994, 1998).

Outside the Lines
I usually don’t duck topics but I am going to ask for a pass on this one. I saw the ESPN “Outside the Lines” program Sunday but I don’t have enough information here to form an opinion yet. I know I have never been pregnant and have never had an abortion so I am not qualified to speak on those subjects (Insert joke here at being overweight).

I do know that scholarships come with responsibility. I am not sure if pregnancy is in that category. I do not know enough about the women’s track team or rowing team to form any opinions there.

This is one I still need to think about. Abortion is a serious issue. Scholarships and education are also serious. I just don’t know the answers here. I would be interested in reading your opinions.

Schedule
Later this week I want to get into the seeds for the ACC baseball tournament, Brad Chalk’s status, the ACC spring meetings, and the Clemson Hall of Fame.

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