Clemson's Thomas Brittle watches the ball after recording his first hit in the Tigers 6-1 victory over UAB Saturday at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Photo by Tyler Smith

By William Qualkinbush

CLEMSON — First at-bats at Doug Kingsmore Stadium are normally memorable experiences for Tiger players and for their opponents. Having it as a freshman on Opening Day is extra special.

The first plate appearance by a Tiger hitter in 2012 this season was not made by a freshman, but it was made by a face that might not be recognizable to Clemson baseball fans.

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Clemson third baseman Richie Shaffer watches his two-run in the Tigers 6-1 victory over UAB Saturday. Photo by Tyler Smith

By William Qualkinbush

CLEMSON — The Clemson baseball team won two of its first three games on opening weekend, and no one was more relieved than Richie Shaffer.

The Tiger third baseman watched the entire lineup struggle to put the ball in play on Friday, so he was thrilled to see improvement come in time to win the weekend’s series against UAB.

“I think everyone was just trying too hard yesterday,” the number-three hitter in the order said. “Everyone wanted to get that big hit right away. When you tense up and try too hard, your muscles get tight. It’s still baseball.” [Read more...]

Clemson First baseman Jon McGibbon reacts with teammates after scoring on Spencer Kieboom's double to center field in Clemson's 2-1 loss to UAB Friday night. Photo by Tyler Smith

By Will Vandervort

CLEMSON — Clemson’s season opening game against Alabama-Birmingham went pretty much the way 16^th-ranked Clemson expect it to Friday night, except for the final score.

The Tigers got solid pitching efforts from starter Kevin Brady and relievers Matt Campbell and Daniel Gossett, but struggled at the plate as UAB pitchers Dillon Napoleon and Ryan Nance kept Clemson’s inexperienced lineup at bay.

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Clemson's Richie Shaffer makes contact against Wake Forest last season at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson. Photo by Annemarie Jacques

By Eric Sprott

CLEMSON — In his first two seasons on campus, Richie Shaffer was the model of consistency holding down the starting gig at first base for the Clemson baseball team.

Along the way, the junior committed just three errors, good for a fielding percentage of .996 to help make him one of the top defensive first basemen the Tigers have ever had on the diamond.

The crazy part about it? Shaffer enjoyed that success all while playing out of position, as he is a natural third baseman who spent nearly the duration of his formative years at the position.

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Clemson first baseman Richie Shaffer follows through on a swing against N.C. State during the ACC Tournament last season at Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, N.C. Photo by Rex Brown

By Steven Bradley

When the Clemson baseball team opened practice for the 2012 season, it had the same old word stitched into the back of its caps: Omaha.

Reaching that destination, however, will take some doing for the Tigers this time, as many of the keys cogs from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, as well as the 2010 team that advanced to the College World Series, have moved on.

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