Clemson's NCAA run ends

CLEMSON — As hopeful as Jack Leggett was about Clemson landing in the NCAA Tournament, he knew there was a chance the Tigers' name wouldn't flash on the screen Monday during the selection show.

The uncertainty was new and unsettling. And a lot worse was the knowledge that the 2008 season was over after Clemson didn't receive an at-large bid to the tournament.

"It's been a rough day," Leggett said. "Rough day."

The most difficult season in Leggett's 15-year Clemson tenure was punctuated with a disappointing ending of the school's 21-year run of tournament appearances — the third-longest streak in college baseball history.

Clemson finished 31-27-1, its fewest victories since 1983. The Tigers were 11-18-1 in the ACC, finished eighth in the league and lost two of three games at last week's ACC Tournament to seal their fate.

Leggett complained that Clemson was snubbed by the selection committee. Ranked No. 26 according to an unofficial RPI compiled by boydsworld.com, the Tigers were the only team in the top 40 not to make the 64-team field.

Leggett pointed out the Tigers' schedule strength and said he'll consider softening the slate in the future. He complained that the ACC, which put six teams into the tournament, doesn't have a representative on the 10-person selection committee.

Leggett couldn't figure out how the ACC and Pac-10 combined for 11 teams in the tournament while the SEC — rated lower than those two conferences — racked up nine.

"Unfortunately we just didn't get enough backing somehow," he said. "I know I'm not going to sit here ever again and have our fate determined by those that don't know us."

Having lost a huge chunk of contributors from last year's Super Regional squad, the Tigers didn't look like an NCAA Tournament team for much of the season. They lost 11 straight games at one point, the longest losing streak in school history, and had to reel off five straight wins at the end of the regular season to pull into contention for an at-large bid.

Clemson was 0-16 against Miami, Florida State, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The Tigers hit .285 this season, their lowest average since 1989. Their team ERA of 4.76 was their highest since 1999, and their 1.32 errors per game were the most since 2004.

"We were just down a little on ability level and consistency this year," Leggett said.

Improvement next season is possible given the likely return of the top five hitters. Also expected back is outfielder Addison Johnson, whose season-long absence with a hand injury left a big void.

The Tigers lose catcher Doug Hogan, who hit just .271 after hitting .350 as a junior. Shortstop Stan Widmann has a year of eligibility left but is making it known he'll sign if taken in the late rounds of next week's major league draft.

The Tigers also could lose junior pitchers D.J. Mitchell and Ryan Hinson.

Two members of the 2007 signing class are considered strong candidates to turn pro: infielder Ethan Martin, a possible top 15 pick, and right-handed pitcher Scott Weismann.

Six other signees are deemed draft-worthy, but coaches do not anticipate them forgoing their college eligibility. Yet Leggett and his staff are still wary, having absorbed big hits from the draft in recent years.

Regardless of what happens in the draft, Leggett is determined to permanently cleanse the sick feeling he had Monday. He told his team to make sure the selection committee doesn't have a choice a year from now.

"It bothers me that we're not playing, and it hurts my pride that we're not playing," he said. "But I'm going to start working on next year right now."

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the new Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/>