Clemson begins baseball practice with Charleston flavor

CLEMSON – The 16th-ranked Clemson baseball team began practice today, 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 this 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.