Monday June 01, 2009

Johnny Wholestaff

Johnny Wholestaff
The Clemson baseball program can take a big step forward tonight when the Tigers host Oklahoma State at 7:00 PM at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in the final game of the regional.

Heading into the game, the main question deals with the pitching for each team. Clemson will go with Ryan Hinson. He pitched an inning Saturday night against Oklahoma State. He allowed one hit and allowed the game winning run on a ball misplayed by the outfield. He faced four batters. The senior should be good to good as long as needed tonight.

There are a couple of guys who should not be available tonight. Scott Weismann was brilliant in his Sunday afternoon start in an elimination game against Tennessee Tech. The freshman went eight shutout innings allowing just four hits and three walks while striking out two.

Chris Dwyer was unbelievable Sunday night facing elimination against Oklahoma State in the 15-1 win. The freshman came within an out of a complete game when he struck out 13 Cowboy hitters while walking only one. He allowed just six hits in a crucial performance.

The bad news is neither freshmen will be available tonight. However, the best news is that pair went over 16 innings and allowed the rest of the staff to rest and get ready for tonight.

On Friday Trey Delk pitched 4.1 innings giving up five hits, three runs with four walks and five strike outs. The Tigers’ number-one starter might be available tonight for a few batters but I would doubt we would see Delk.

Casey Harman was outstanding Saturday night against Oklahoma State pitching six shutout innings. He allowed two solo homers on the seventh and was lifted from the game. Harman went 6.1 innings allowing just three hits while walking two and striking out eight. I can’t see Harman pitching tonight but he might be available to get a left-handed hitter or two.

Graham Stoneburner came in Friday night against Tennessee Tech and was very effective in his 4.2 innings. He gave up just two hits and did not walk anyone. He struck out five of the 15 batters he faced. I can see the right-hander available for a few batters tonight.

Matt Vaughn closed out the Saturday loss to Oklahoma State Saturday night. He allowed one hit in his 0.2 innings. Here is another senior who should be at full strength tonight.

David Haselden closed out Sunday afternoon’s 10-0 win over Tennessee Tech with a scoreless inning where he struck out two batters and did not allow a base runner. He pitched well late in the season and could be available for multiple innings tonight.

Justin Surratt came in to record the final out in last night’s win over Oklahoma State. Surratt should be available for multiple innings if he is needed.

Surprisingly, Tomas Cruz has not seen action yet in this regional. His fresh arm and change up could be a key tonight for the Tigers.

Will Lamb has played in the field but has yet to pitch in the regional. The left-hander has been very good at times but inconsistent at others. His ability to get out left-handers may also be a key tonight.

Like Cruz, Clinton McKinney has not seen action in this regional and should be fresh if called upon.

My guess is we will see a lot of Hinson, Vaughn and Cruz tonight.

Early Leads
The Tigers got brilliant pitching performances from two freshmen yesterday in holding Tennessee Tech and Oklahoma State to one run in 18 innings. The other story line was the 25 runs Clemson scored.

I thought a big key to both games was early leads. It seems to me this team plays better when they are not uptight. When they play loose, they play better. For example, with nothing to lose in the final game of the ACC tournament this team beat North Carolina.

There is no better way to play loose than to get off to a great start and an early lead.

A run in the bottom of the first helped the Tigers add four in the third and three in the fourth against Tennessee Tech. The game was early and the Tigers played well in clsing out a scrappy bunch from Tennessee Tech.

In last night’s game Clemson put up a four spot before the Cowboys had a chance to come to the plate. The first inning lead helped the Tigers to an 11-0 lead as Oklahoma State came up in the bottom of the third. I think the loose play helped the Tigers 16-hit attack.

Other Regional Notes
I was a little surprised at the number of regionals that have to head to today to decide who advances.

Of the sixteen regionals Florida, North Carolina, Florida State, LSU, Arkansas, Cal-State Fullerton, Arizona State, TCU, Virginia and Texas have advanced. Virginia and Arkansas were number two seeds.

Today Clemson will host Oklahoma State, East Carolina will host South Carolina, Rice will play host to Kansas State, Ole Miss will host Western Kentucky, Louisville will host Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech will host Southern Miss.

The ACC has three teams that have advanced: UNC, FSU and Virginia. Two ACC teams have been eliminated- Boston College and Miami. Georgia Tech and Clemson can advance tonight.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry, Delores Weaver.