Tigers Kick Off Big Weekend Today In Charleston

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Fri Feb 29 07:16:55 GMT-04:00 2008

CLEMSON - Jack Leggett insisted before the season began that his team wouldn't have much power. The results through four games say otherwise.

The Tigers have pounded 10 home runs en route to the team's current 4-0 record. Wilson Boyd has been the primary power plant, crashing four of the long balls.

He had two all last year.

"We thought all along we'd have a little more power than we talked about, but it's still not like the power we've had in the past," Leggett said Friday. "The schedule is about to get more difficult and the pitching we'll see will get better. So we'll have to be fundamentally sound at the plate."

That test begins this weekend, when the Tigers' schedule immediately gets more difficult.

Today, Clemson is at the College of Charleston. Saturday and Sunday the Tigers face South Carolina for the first two of four games this season. Saturday's game is at Sarge Frye Field in Columbia, while Sunday the teams return to Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

The Cougars have never beaten Clemson in 18 tries. The teams met just once last year, with the Tigers rolling to a 19-7 victory.

But Leggett knows his young team can't assume a victory today at Patriot's Point Park.

"The College of Charleston can swing the bat," he said. "They've got some junior college kids in, to go along with some of their experienced guys who are back. They're going to be tough. We'll see their No. 1 pitcher (Danny Meszaros), who has a really good arm. We've seen him before."

The Tigers will send freshman Graham Stoneburner (1-0) to the mound.

The game also has a subplot, one that transcends the game.

College of Charleston head coach John Pawlowski's 13-year old daughter, Mary Louise, is battling cancer. Pawlowski, of course, is a former Jack Leggett assistant at Clemson. So the Tigers' head coach has spearheaded a drive in the Upstate to help raise money for her medical expenses.

Anyone wanting to contribute can make checks payable to the Mary Louis Pawlowski Fund and mail them to:

Clemson Baseball Office P.O.Box 31

Jervey Athletic Center

Clemson, SC 29630

The Tigers also will wear their purple jersey's Friday in honor of Mary Louise. Purple is her favorite color.

And as for the weekend games vs. South Carolina?

"They've got a really experienced offensive lineups," said Leggett. "Then they'll pitch Mike Cisco on Friday, who's been through the wars and is experienced.

"We're really going to have to pitch well against that lineup."