Clemson Looks to Erase Memory of A&M Loss |
CLEMSON, SC -- Clemson went too far last year in the NCAA tournament to feel
good about where it landed. A year later, heading into another super regional - this time at home against Mississippi State - the memory is still fresh of last year's ninth inning loss. After losing its first game by 18 runs, Clemson, a week later, was three outs from the College World Series. Clemson came back like Rocky. This time Rocky got kicked in the stomach and went down for the count in the final scene. Clemson led 4-3 entering the ninth inning in the third game of the super regional at Texas A&M last June. A team that was defeated by 18 in the first game of the regional and by 17 in the first game against Texas A&M was three outs from the College World Series. A team that had lost 14 of its final 35 regular season games was three outs from the big show. Those facts haven't made the loss any easier to take for Clemson third baseman Khalil Greene. "It was a pretty big disappointment," said Greene. "It was tough having to play baseball all summer with guys that made it to the College World Series." Greene could only watch Clemson's one-run lead evaporate. Clemson reliever Chris Heck was ahead of Texas A&M leadoff hitter Steve Scarborough 0-2 in the top of the ninth. Heck had to throw five more pitches before Scarborough hit the next one over the left field wall to tie the game in front of 7,645 at Olsen Field in College Station, Texas. "I was just trying to calm down after the first one," said Greene. "The place just exploded." No. 9 hitter Chad Hudson lined out to left field before Heck faced center fielder Steve Truitt. Truitt hit Heck's creamed first pitch and flipped his bat about 15 feet in the air as the ball traveled over the left field wall. "It was a little surreal," said Greene. "When he hit it, it was almost like they were destined to win it." It's the kind of moment that will stick with Greene - unless the Tigers win two games this weekend against Mississippi State and head to the College World Series. "It was tough being three outs away and not going to the College World Series," said Greene. "This is pretty much it. Just the fact, the finality of it all, win or lose. Basically, if you lose it's going to be a big disappointment for a whole year." Clemson had two men on when Patrick Boyd struck out swinging to end the game in the bottom of the ninth. "I really thought we had it," said Clemson coach Jack Leggett after the game. A year later, Leggett isn't worried that last year's close call will have an effect on the team. "We learned that it's good to win that first game," he said. Clemson isn't the underdog it was last year. The Tigers swept its way through the regional last weekend at Clemson. This weekend's game are at Clemson as well. That won't make things any easier. "They're playing pretty good baseball," said Leggett. "We've got to play pretty good baseball."
Upgrade Your Account
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now
