Clemson's young stars power second-half ACC

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Many coaches would never do what Clemson&#39;s Jack Leggett tried this season using untested freshmen at center field, shortstop and second base.<br> <br> Then again, most coaches don&#39;t have rising stars Brad Chalk, Stan Widmann and Taylor Harbin to plug in. The three have helped the Tigers overcome a sluggish start to finish second in the powerful Atlantic Coast Conference and end the year on a nine-game win streak including a three-game sweep of Miami, the Hurricanes&#39; first 0-for-3 series since 2002.<br> <br> Not that it was easy to write in three players so young at some of the game&#39;s most critical positions.<br> <br> ``There were a few bumps here and there,&#39;&#39; Leggett said, smiling.<br> <br> Widmann and Harbin have started every game. Chalk became a regular in early March. As they got accustomed to the college game, Clemson struggled and was 5-7 after back-to-back losses to rival South Carolina in March.<br> <br> Things have gone much smoother since the ACC season began. The Tigers have gone 32-12 (21-9 in the league) and earned the second seed in this week&#39;s ACC tournament in Jacksonville, Fla.<br> <br> Why the turnaround? ``Because we&#39;re young and we&#39;re learning,&#39;&#39; Widmann said.<br> <br> Once they figure the game out, the trio&#39;s production could be frightening.<br> <br> Harbin has 28 doubles, a freshman record and only five away from the school&#39;s single season mark of San Diego Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. Chalk, a contact hitter with the speed to run down anything in the outfield, has 13 sacrifice bunts, one off the Clemson single season record. Widmann has made only four errors in ACC play.<br> <br> Harbin (.362) and Chalk (.354) are 1-2 in team batting average. The three combined have hit .333 with 12 homers and 82 RBIs.<br> <br> They&#39;ve got Tiger fans thinking of a few years back when Greene (now starring with the San Diego Padres), third baseman Jeff Baker and first baseman Michael Johnson powered the team to the 2002 College World Series.<br> <br> Harbin said they take it in stride, not letting the accolades and comparisons swell their heads or deter their hard work.<br> <br> ``Being compared with those three guys is unbelievable,&#39;&#39; Harbin said. ``But we&#39;re just trying to come out and compete and make our contributions to the team.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Harbin has been the offensive star, not surprising for South Carolina&#39;s all-time high school homer king with 52 at Travelers Rest. Against North Carolina State last month, Harbin went 5-for-5 with three homers and eight RBIs in Clemson&#39;s 16-9 victory.<br> <br> Almost as important as his skills at the plate, Leggett says, is Harbin&#39;s attitude. If it helps Clemson succeed, that&#39;s what Harbin wants most, his coach said.<br> <br> That was on display in an 8-5 win over the College of Charleston last week when Harbin fought off a difficult pitch in the first inning for a fly ball out to left, scoring Herman Demmink. Once the run crossed, Harbin trotted back the dugout clapping his hands all the way.<br> <br> Their willingness to learn has pleased Leggett. Harbin and Widmann both came to campus as shortstops. Instead of setting up a divisive rivalry, the two worked together to fit in and improve. The roommates now play alongside each other ``like they&#39;ve been together seven or eight years,&#39;&#39; Leggett said.<br> <br> Widmann said it was easy to work hard with others like Harbin doing the same.<br> <br> With Harbin&#39;s Upstate high-school power display and Chalk being on two state championship teams at Riverside High in Greer, Widmann might have been overlooked among the newcomers, Leggett said. But Widmann is as skilled at this position as any prospect the coach has ever seen.<br> <br> After the big three of Baker, Greene and Johnson moved on a few years ago, Clemson felt the loss when highly regarded prospects like Jeff Francour, Jeremy Hermida and Zach Greinke signed with the Tigers out of high school then became first-round Major League Baseball draft picks.<br> <br> Leggett hopes he has found the foundation for another successful run. ``We know we&#39;re not looking for a shortstop, second baseman or center fielder real soon,&#39;&#39; Leggett said.<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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