Clemson going with its lefties

Greetings from Tempe, Ariz., where what they say about the desert heat here is true.

You walk out the door, and it’s like someone has turned the hair dryer on in your face. Lotta hot air, not a lotta sweat.

Some quick notes from this afternoon.

As I suggested might happen, Clemson has opted to go with its pair of lefty starters for the first two games of the Arizona State super regional.

Sophomore Casey Harman (7-3, 3.78) will go Saturday, and freshman Chris Dwyer (5-5, 4.85) on Sunday.

Coaches had said earlier this week they were mulling five options. But really, unless ASU really struggled against righties, it seemed logical the Tigers would turn to the two pitchers that give them the best chance of posting a dominating or quality start.

No disrespect to senior righty Trey Delk, who generally led off weekend series as the Friday starter. Delk’s been serviceable and consistent, but he hasn’t exactly done much since returning from his midseason back injury.

ASU will obviously throw junior stud Mike Leake (15-1, 1.23) in the first game, and Sun Devils coach Pat Murphy said he will likely go with junior lefty Josh Spence (8-1, 2.37) in the second game.

Spence has only pitched twice since returning from a hand injury and didn’t last long (less than four innings) in his super regional start last weekend. But Murphy said he wouldn’t be on a pitch count.

It also appears Clemson will be sticking sophomore right fielder Kyle Parker back in the lineup.

Parker was benched for the beginning of two super regional games because of his prolonged hitting slump. Tigers coach Jack Leggett hopes Parker’s game-winning, two-RBI single in the eighth inning Monday could propel Parker out of said slump.

Plus Clemson can use all the run-producers it can squeeze into the lineup for a series against such a superlative pitching staff (ASU leads the nation with a 2.79 ERA).