Storrer On Super Regional Roster

CLEMSON – Even though Clemson outfielder Travis Storrer still has a bad left foot, Tigers coach Jack Leggett has opted to put the him on the 25-man roster for this weekend’s Super Regional, which are the last home games of the senior’s collegiate career.

“He’s been in the program a long time,” Leggett said. “He deserves to be out there.”

Just because Storrer, who’s hitting .321, with nine homers and 45 RBI, will be in uniform doesn’t mean he’ll play much, if any, at all. He took batting practice for the first time Thursday, and while he made contact, he couldn’t drive through the pitches with much force.

“I’m just looking forward to being part of the team,” Storrer said. “I’m glad I finally get to be back in uniform. But now, I’ve got to start showing up on time.”

Leggett said Storrer, who leads all outfielders with six assists, will be used in pinch-hit situations against Oral Roberts (41-14) if need be.

“We just want to put him in uniform and he’ll be ready if we need him,” Leggett said.

Another reason Storrer was added to the roster is because there could be a shortage of healthy bats with the Tigers (50-14).

At the end of the press conference Thursday afternoon, Leggett surprised everyone when he said, “I don’t want anybody to freak out if you see Taylor Harbin at shortstop tomorrow.”

Leggett said that shortstop Stan Widmann has a bad right ankle and that he hasn’t practiced in three days.

The ankle swelled up after the regionals this past weekend in the same fashion it did earlier in the year when he was forced to miss the final two games against Virginia Tech in late April.

Leggett believes this week’s issue is a direct result from when Widmann hurt it against the Hokies, but he’s not 100 percent positive.

“I don’t know if he’s got something loose or chipped in there,” he said.

If Widmann can’t go, Leggett said Harbin will start at short, with either designated hitter Herman Demmink likely starting at second. That would make either Ben Hall or Alex Burg the designated hitter.

“We move all infielders around everyday in practice,” Leggett said. “That way they’re used to the different positions.”

With Storrer being put on the roster, pitcher Matt Vaughn (0-1, 10.12 ERA) was removed. Leggett said the choice on who to take off wasn’t easy.

“It’s a difficult thing because he’s been with us all year long,” he said. “It was a difficult decision.”