Clemson outfield has Charleston connection

CLEMSON -- The No. 16- ranked Clemson baseball team began practice Friday, the first step in putting behind the memory of being eliminated by Connecticut on its home field last spring in the NCAA tournament.

Clemson coach Jack Leggett welcomes back a deep and talented pitching staff but must retool offensively, including replacing his entire starting outfield. The new outfield could have a Charleston influence.

Speedy College of Charleston transfer Thomas Brittle could be the answer in center field, and Brad Felder, a transfer from The Citadel, has often played right field in fall scrimmages.

Perhaps the best news for Leggett is starting pitcher Kevin Brady threw pain-free in the fall. Brady's forearm strain cut short his season last year. Before his injury, Brady looked like an ace, striking out 33 and walking just one in 23 innings.

Brady touched 96 mph with his fastball this fall.

"I like our pitching," Leggett said. "I think it'll be one of our strong points. We've got Brady back, which was a big thing for us. We've got (Dominic) Leone, (David) Haselden, (Joseph) Moorefield, (Scott) Firth and some good young players coming in that will help us out."

Leggett will also have a new-look infield, moving star bat Richie Shaffer from first base to third base to make room for sophomore slugger John McGibbon at first. Jason Stolz will switch from third to his natural shortstop position, and slick-fielding sophomore Steve Wilkerson will start at second base.

--North Carolina was selected as the ACC preseason favorite in a vote of the league's 12 head coaches.

Clemson received the nod as the Atlantic Division favorite. The Tigers received seven first-place votes, with the other five going to Florida State.

All 12 ACC teams open their seasons with non-conference games on Feb. 17.

The 2012 ACC Baseball Championship is scheduled for May 23 - 27 at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.

Ten ACC student-athletes have been named 2012 preseason All-Americans. Six conference teams - North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami and Virginia - have been ranked among the top 20 of at least one major preseason poll.

With North Carolina and Virginia reaching the College World Series last season, the ACC has placed a total of 14 teams in Omaha since 2006. Seven ACC teams received NCAA Tournament berths in 2011, and at least five conference teams have been selected for postseason play each of the past 10 seasons.