Clemson baseball – On deck – Presbyterian Blue Hose

Quick Thoughts before the Preview:

What a fun weekend for Clemson baseball.  Winning two out of three games against Florida State is a feat in and of itself.  But in the way that it happened made this past weekend one of the most fun weekend series I can remember.  The type of series that puts a hitch in your giddy-up if you are a fan.

I have said on the Sluggo Podcast ( (On YouTube and Facebook recorded live Wednesday nights) that I have a “thing” about having a “scary hitter” or two.  Generally during my fandom, it is on the opposing team (see Luke Murton versus the Tigers 3 straight HRs in the 2006 ACC Tournament).  My definition is a player that I feel like something is going to happen when they are at the plate.  A player that scares the opposing side, a player that probably should be pitched around.  Someone like Jerome Robinson in the 1996 Regionals, Khalil Greene and Tyler Colvin in ’05-’06, for Clemson fans over the years.  I could name names for days.

https://twitter.com/ACCBaseball/status/1518652740636921857?s=20&t=khvSmxAv7DpWGFiHoTUQxw

Max Wagner is that player currently for the Tigers.  His week at the plate (as well as stellar defense) led to earning the National and ACC Player of the Week.  For the week, the Sophomore was 8-19 with 6 home runs and 10 RBIs.  Blake Wright is also turning into one of those players for me and a personal favorite, as he seemingly comes up with a big hit in a big spot when needed.  Both of those guys (among others, including Grice, Ingle, French, et al) seemingly have been in the center of the action and the catalysts for this recent success and new-found life around the program.

The Preview:

All that word salad to say, this Clemson team has been a really fun watch the past week to ten days and another tough week lies ahead with midweek games versus Gamecock-killers, the Presbyterian Blue Hose and the Nationally-ranked Wofford Terriers on Wednesday night.

One thing at a time though, we’ll discuss the Presbyterian squad that comes into Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Tuesday night @ 6 PM.

Presbyterian comes into the game versus our Tigers with an 18-20 record.  They are led by long-time head coach, in his 18th year as the skipper of his Alma Mater, Elton Pollock.  Pollack won the Big South Conference a season ago and has a team that has battled with big time schools throughout the season.

The Blue Hose wins are against: North Florida (x2), Manhattan (x2), Bellarmine (x3) Georgia State, Campbell, South Carolina, UNC Asheville (x2), Morehead State, Longwood (x2) and Winthrop (x3).

The 20 losses came against: North Florida, Georgia Tech, Boston College George Mason, College of Charleston, Western Carolina, Georgia State (x2), Charlotte, USC Upstate (x3), Campbell (x2), UNC Asheville, Morehead State (x2), Georgia Southern, Longwood and Wofford.

Don’t let the record fool you, this team is a squad loaded with Sophomores and a couple upperclassmen sprinkled in.  There is enough talent and moxie to put a scare into the red-hot Tigers.

Offensively, the Blue Hose are led by Sophomore Catcher/1st Baseman Dalton Reeves.  Reeves does most of his damage from the 4-hole in the lineup and is hitting .306 and leads the team with 5 home runs and 11 doubles on the season.  Senior Outfielder Eric Toth hits right before Reeves in the lineup but is one of those hitters that bothers opposing pitchers.  Hitting a team-leading .355, Toth also adds 15-16 stolen bases, 5 doubles, a triple and 3 home runs.  He’s my candidate for a “scary hitter.”

Notable: This team will RUN!

The rest of the probables are as follows with Batting average/OPS (and notable stats in parentheses):

Sophomore Outfielder – Jay Wetherington – .307 BA/.768 OPS (5 2bs 15-18 SBs)

Sophomore 2nd Baseman – Jack Gorman – .326/.857 (9 2bs, 9-11 SBs)

Senior Catcher – Jeremiah Boyd – .256/.824 (7 2bs, 4 HRs)

Sophomore Shortstop – Brody Fahr – .309/.795 (4 2bs, 2 3bs)

Sophomore DH – Ryan Ouzts – .259/.799 (4 2bs, 2 HRs)

Sophomore 3rd Baseman – Noah Lebron – .243/.680

Senior Outfielder – Kyle Decker – .250/.666 (2 2bs, 13-15 SBs)

Offensively, the Blue Hose have scored 230 runs across 38 games for an average of 6 runs a game.

On the mound Tuesday evening for the Blue Hose will be Junior Right hander Colbey Klepper.  He will be opposed by Clemson  Sophomore Right hander Ricky Williams.  Not going to lie, it takes the fun out of it a bit when the teams announce their starters for the mid-week games.  But I digress.

Klepper comes into the contest with the Tigers with a 0-5 record on the season with 9 appearances and 5 starts.  He has a 7.25 ERA across 22.1 innings with 24 Ks and 18 BBs and opponents batting .216 against him.

The Blue Hose have given up 278 runs on the season for an average of 7.3 runs per game.

Football fans would call this game a “trap” game for the Tigers.  Coming off a series win against a top opponent, and having a 4-1 week with the national player of the week on your team.  The Tigers have a new-found energy and confidence about them and it’s fun to watch.  I think Monte Lee will have his team ready, and I believe Ricky Williams (1-0 .087 ERA across 10.1 innings) is the right man to start for the Tigers.

As much of a trap that this game is, I think the Tigers prevail handily.  I like the match-up on the hill and I think there are enough bats in the lineup for Clemson that will stay hot.  As much as Monte Lee is begging for production from the bottom third in the lineup, I think they have enough to cruise.

Prediction:  Clemson 12 – Presbyterian 3