A scouting report on Georgia Tech's College World Series opener today against Clemson:
Inexperience evens playing field
Clemson has been to Omaha 11 times. Tech has made it three times. But none of that matters this week as the players on the
rosters have been a combined zero times.
That means there might be a few baby steps before either team breaks out in a dead run.
"We've been explaining to them how it all works out there," Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. "You have to relax, go out there and play as if it's your home field. You have to play with no fear of failure, with reckless abandon, and play on that edge that we've always had."
Leggett should have plenty. In 13 seasons, he's been to 13 NCAA tournaments. This is his fifth CWS trip.
On the other side, Danny Hall has been just as successful getting to the postseason — just not to Omaha. He took teams there in 1994 and 2002.
Where they stand
Clemson is on top of the college baseball world. The Tigers are the tournament's No. 1 seed and ranked No. 2 in most publications. Clemson is stocked with talent as a school-record 10 players were drafted.
Tech is 16-10 against teams in the top 15 of the RPI, including a 3-3 mark against Clemson. The series is deadlocked at 93-93-3.
The bats
Clemson is a surprising 67th in batting average nationally and 54th in scoring. First baseman Andy D'Alessio is 16th nationally in home runs. Outfielder Tyler Harbin has also come up with some big hits, including a walk-off grand slam to beat Oral Roberts.
Tech's offense has been one of the nation's best. It ranks third in run production and has not slowed down in the NCAA tournament. Catcher Matt Wieters has been the key. In five tournament games, the sophomore is 11-for-17 with nine walks. He has reached base safely in 20 of 26 plate appearances.
The intangibles
Clemson may face more pressure because it has more expectations. The Tigers might just be the best program in the nation without a College World Series title. But, then again, no ACC team has won the CWS since Wake Forest in 1955.
Tech is led by a trio of seniors who've provided the leadership since early May. The Jackets are 17-4 since May 1, with two of those losses coming against Clemson.
Inexperience evens playing field
Clemson has been to Omaha 11 times. Tech has made it three times. But none of that matters this week as the players on the
rosters have been a combined zero times.
That means there might be a few baby steps before either team breaks out in a dead run.
"We've been explaining to them how it all works out there," Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. "You have to relax, go out there and play as if it's your home field. You have to play with no fear of failure, with reckless abandon, and play on that edge that we've always had."
Leggett should have plenty. In 13 seasons, he's been to 13 NCAA tournaments. This is his fifth CWS trip.
On the other side, Danny Hall has been just as successful getting to the postseason — just not to Omaha. He took teams there in 1994 and 2002.
Where they stand
Clemson is on top of the college baseball world. The Tigers are the tournament's No. 1 seed and ranked No. 2 in most publications. Clemson is stocked with talent as a school-record 10 players were drafted.
Tech is 16-10 against teams in the top 15 of the RPI, including a 3-3 mark against Clemson. The series is deadlocked at 93-93-3.
The bats
Clemson is a surprising 67th in batting average nationally and 54th in scoring. First baseman Andy D'Alessio is 16th nationally in home runs. Outfielder Tyler Harbin has also come up with some big hits, including a walk-off grand slam to beat Oral Roberts.
Tech's offense has been one of the nation's best. It ranks third in run production and has not slowed down in the NCAA tournament. Catcher Matt Wieters has been the key. In five tournament games, the sophomore is 11-for-17 with nine walks. He has reached base safely in 20 of 26 plate appearances.
The intangibles
Clemson may face more pressure because it has more expectations. The Tigers might just be the best program in the nation without a College World Series title. But, then again, no ACC team has won the CWS since Wake Forest in 1955.
Tech is led by a trio of seniors who've provided the leadership since early May. The Jackets are 17-4 since May 1, with two of those losses coming against Clemson.
