It doesn't get any easier for Tigers

Clemson Notes

STARKVILLE, MISS. — Nothing has come easily this season for Clemson, so it's probably fitting that the Tigers put themselves in a must-win situation to avoid the end of their season.

"This is nothing different," senior first baseman Andy D'Alessio said after Friday's 8-6 loss to Mississippi State.

Mississippi State coach Ron Polk elected to save his best pitcher, Justin Pigott, for today. Pigott is a soft-tossing lefty, and the Tigers haven't had much success against that style over the past few years.

Clemson does have the comfort of knowing it has flourished in bleak situations. A month ago, the Tigers opened a three-game visit to Florida State on the wrong end of an 11-1 score. They ended up taking the series after winning the next two games.

In the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament, Clemson was again facing long odds going against Florida State ace Bryan Henry. The Tigers handed him his first loss of the season, winning 5-1.

"We can come out loose (today) even though our backs are against the wall and we have to win," said junior shortstop Taylor Harbin.

Draft distractions

Harbin was standing in the dugout Friday when someone told him the Arizona Diamondbacks had drafted him in the eighth round with the 253rd pick.

"I'd definitely say it's tough to maintain all your focus on the game," said Harbin, a junior who hit a solo home run in the sixth inning. "I figured it was going to happen, but I just tried to focus on today and help our pitching staff out."

Senior third baseman Marquez Smith was taken in the eighth round by the Chicago Cubs, six picks ahead of Harbin. Junior catcher Doug Hogan was selected in the 16th round by the Cleveland Indians, and D'Alessio in the 19th by the San Francisco Giants.

A day earlier, coach Jack Leggett was surprised to see junior center fielder Brad Chalk taken in the second round. High school signee Jacob Smolinski, an infielder from Rockford, Ill., went higher than forecast with the 70th pick. Two other high school signees, pitcher Josh Smoker (31st pick) and shortstop Nick Noonan (32nd), are expected to turn pro.

"We get crushed it seems like every single year," Leggett said. "I don't know. It's a hard thing at this level, because you don't know where to draw the line."

Kopp or Hinson?

Despite the abundance of left-handed hitters in Mississippi State's lineup, Leggett said he was leaning toward starting junior right-hander David Kopp (6-2, 3.67 ERA) over sophomore lefty Ryan Hinson (6-2, 2.61) in today's game.

Designated disappointment

The Tigers came up empty at designated hitter, with Alex Lee striking out three times and Ben Paulsen fouling out.

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com.