2007 Starkville Super Regional

(capsules compiled by Jamie Learakos, Stuart Smith, Scott Day, Sean Ryan, Phil Stanton)

Mississippi State Bulldogs
Starkville, Miss.

At-large bid from SEC

Won Tallahassee Regional

2007 record: 15-13, 36-20 (second in SEC-West)

Coach: Ron Polk (Grand Canyon, 1965)

Record at school: 1114-555-2, 28 years

Overall record: 1348-667-2, 34 years

Assistant coaches: Russ McNickle, Tommy Raffo, Wade Hedges

Team offense - .316 BA, 394 R, 47 HR, .447 SLG%, .383 OB%, 42/62 SB

Team pitching – 4.76 ERA, 504.1 IP, 587 H, 155 BB, 467 K

Top hitters – Brandon Turner (.400/2/43/10 2B), Edward Easley (.367/12/61/15 2B), Jeffrey Rea (.342/1/22/13 SB), Mitch Moreland (.333/8/56/22 2B), Jeff Flagg (.315/5/23), Joseph McCaskill (.314/1/23/12 2B), Brian LaNinfa (.308/5/43/14 2B), Connor Powers (.300, 7/34/12 2B)

Top pitchers – Ricky Bowen (5-2, 5 saves, 3.27, 33 IP, 32 H, 12 BB, 34 K), Mitch Moreland (3-0, 1 save, 3.32, 19 IP, 18 H, 3 BB, 27 K), Aaron Weatherford (3-2, 4 saves, 3.34, 62 IP, 54 H, 22 BB, 66 K), John Lalor (2-1, 3 saves, 3.88, 46.1 IP, 39 H, 19 BB, 51 K), Chad Crosswhite (8-4, 2 saves, 4.16, 71.1 IP, 95 H, 25 BB, 61 K), Justin Pigott (6-6, 4.31, 102.1 IP, 116 H, 21 BB, 70 K), Josh Johnson (3-3, 6.21, 62.1 IP, 70 H, 20 BB, 59 K)

Last NCAA appearance – 2006 (2-2 at Clemson Regional)

Notes – Mississippi State is hosting a Super Regional for the first time. It is the third Super Regional trip for the Bulldogs. MSU played at Clemson in 2000 and at Cal State Fullerton in 2001 in Super Regional action. The Bulldogs have reached the College World Series seven times. This was the 23^rd NCAA Regional Tournament appearance for Mississippi State. MSU has gone to a regional in 10 of the past 11 years. Ron Polk is making his 22^nd NCAA trip in 34 seasons as a head coach.

Clemson Tigers
Clemson, S.C.

At-large bid from ACC

Won Myrtle Beach Regional

2007 record: 18-12, 41-21 (second in ACC-Atlantic)

Coach: Jack Leggett (Maine, 1976)

Record at school: 649-280, 14 years

Overall record: 1,026-570, 28 years

Assistant coaches: Kevin O’Sullivan, Tom Riginos, Toby Bicknell

Team offense: .293 BA, 383 R, 62 HR, .448 SLG, .374 OBA, 61/92 SB

Team pitching: 3.65 ERA, 555.1 IP, 552 H, 222 BB, 516 K

Top hitters: Brad Chalk (.388/0/18/.503 OBA), Doug Hogan (.339/11/43), Marquez Smith (.329/13/56), Andy D’Alessio (.317/16/47), Taylor Harbin (.301/10/59), Wilson Boyd (.290/2/30), Addison Johnson (.278/1/23), Ben Paulsen (.267/5/20)

Top pitchers: Ryan Hinson (6-2, 2.61, 79.1 IP, 70 H, 37 BB, 59 K), Daniel Moskos (3-5, 6 SV, 2.91, 74.1 IP, 71 H, 33 BB, 74 K), David Kopp (6-2, 3.67, 98 IP, 103 H, 27 BB, 75 K), Stephen Clyne (5-2, 2.28, 43.1 IP, 41 H, 17 BB, 47 K), Matt Vaughn (4-0, 2.82, 38.1 IP, 41 H, 14 BB, 36 K), Alan Farina (6-3, 3.79, 54.2 IP, 39 H, 25 BB, 70 K), D.J. Mitchell (5-0, 3.27, 52.1 IP, 48 H, 16 BB, 49 K)

Last time in tournament: 2006 (3-0 at Clemson Regional, 2-0 at Clemson Super Regional, 1-2 at College World Series)

Notes: Clemson is trying to make a return trip to Omaha after sweeping the Myrtle Beach Regional. Marquez Smith had a huge at-bat in the Regional, ripping a three-run homer late in the winners’ bracket game against Coastal Carolina. Andy D’Alessio was the Regional MVP, going 6 for 12 with two homers - he now has 13 homers in his past 27 games after hitting only three in his first 35. He hit 15 homers as a sophomore and 23 as a junior. Second baseman Taylor Harbin is a model of consistency, homering 10 times this year after 10- and 9-homer seasons; he also has 19 doubles and 14 stolen bases. Former closer Daniel Moskos was moved into a starter’s role, and Alan Farina and Stephen Clyne have taken over the primary bullpen duties. The Tigers have played all but six games without starting shortstop Stan Widmann, who injured his neck in February and hasn’t returned. Clemson hasn’t finished lower than fourth (second since ACC split) in Jack Leggett’s 14 seasons at the helm.