Tigers lament near-homer in 7th

Clemson Notes

STARKVILLE, MISS. - Taylor Harbin's only response was to laugh when the subject turned to the seventh-inning homer that wasn't.

Clemson might have enjoyed the last laugh Saturday had Harbin's shot to left field traveled a few more feet.

"As soon as I hit it, I thought it was going to get out," he said.

Almost everyone in the stadium thought the same thing after Harbin, with runners on first and second, belted a Ricky Bowen curveball toward the famed Left Field Lounge at Dudy Noble Field.

Clemson was down 7-5, and a home run would have given the Tigers the lead and a heaping dose of momentum. Instead, a crosswind caused the ball to hang in the air as left fielder Nick Hardy waited at the fence.

"It was almost like it was falling backwards," said Jeffrey Rea, who was looking on from center field.

Tigers coach Jack Leggett was in the third-base coach's box when Harbin launched the shot over his head.

"That one hurt," Leggett said. "I thought we had that one."

What if?

The Tigers couldn't help but wonder if the outcome would have been different had this super regional been played at home instead of inside the Bulldogs' boisterous confines.

Last week, the Division I Baseball Committee made a controversial decision by awarding the host site to Mississippi State instead of Clemson. The Bulldogs traveled to Clemson last year for the NCAA Regionals, and NCAA representative Dennis Poppe said that might have played a role in this year's decision.

Clemson has won 21 of its past 22 NCAA Tournament home games, and six of the Tigers' past seven trips to the College World Series have been sealed at home.

"I honestly think it would have been a different story at home," Leggett said. "There's a reason why 80 percent of the home teams win in the (NCAA Tournament). So it bothers me."

Harbin faces tough decision

Clemson's fortunes for next season could hinge on whether Harbin decides to leave school early. An eighth-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the junior said his future will depend on what kind of offer he receives.

The Tigers already lose first baseman Andy D'Alessio and third baseman Marquez Smith. Catcher Doug Hogan was taken in the 16th round and is considered a strong possibility to skip his senior year.

"The only thing I can say is I've got a decision to make," Harbin said.

Here comes Polk

Mississippi State coach Ron Polk is a vociferous critic of the NCAA, so college sports' governing body probably isn't happy that he'll occupy a prominent pulpit at this week's College World Series.

"The NCAA is (ticked)," he said. "You know why? Because they don't want me there."

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com.