June 15, 2006

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -Late last month, Clemson right-hander Sean Clark was looking for jobs in the financial world after being left off the Tigers' travel roster for the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.

It's safe to say his job hunting is on hold.

Clark, added to the 25-man travel roster for the ACC tournament because outfielder Travis Storrer went down with an injury, will get the start Friday when top-seeded Clemson opens the College World Series against eighth-seeded Georgia Tech.

Clark, who appeared in just seven games during the regular season, earned the start after a surprising postseason run that saw him pick up wins in the ACC tournament title game and in Clemson's regional opener.

"It's kind of a unique story," Clemson coach Jack Leggett said. "He's just been steady for us. He's a kid who didn't give up."

He gave up one run in eight innings to earn the win in the Tigers' 8-4 victory over North Carolina State in the ACC championship game.

He earned another win with another eight-inning outing in Clemson's 3-0 victory over North Carolina-Asheville in the regional opener. Clark also pitched 3 2-3 innings of relief in the Tigers' super regional clincher last week against Oral Roberts.

Clark's recent success and the fact that ACC rival Georgia Tech hasn't faced Clark - the teams have met six times - led to the decision to start him on Friday, Leggett said.

"It's been crazy. It's just been a lot of fun," Clark said of his unexpected run. "I'm just taking it all in, having a good time."

For now, he said, helping the Tigers win a national title is his top priority. But he hasn't completely put off his job hunt.

"I'm still talking to people," Clark said. "Nothing's final."

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FASHION STATEMENT: Georgia Tech is wearing camouflage warm-up tops with a message on the back: "Omaha. All In."

The meaning of the shirts is twofold to senior second baseman Mike Trapini, who came up with the design after the Yellow Jackets went through a stretch that saw them lose four of eight games.

Trapini said the camouflage isn't just a unifying force for the team. It's also a tribute to the men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Hey, we get to play baseball every day. We could be out fighting a war," Trapini said. "Little did I know there was a big fashion thing for 'camo.' So everybody on the team thought it was cool, and here I am trying to send a message. But whatever it was, it worked."

Tech has gone 8-2 since unveiling the tops at the start of the ACC tournament, going unbeaten through regionals and super regionals.

Trapini said he had hoped to enroll at the Naval Academy coming out of high school in Dunwoody, Ga., but he wasn't accepted because he has Tourette's syndrome. He had hoped to become a fighter pilot.

"What better way to work for a living than serving your country," he said, "but they wouldn't let me."

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TRAVELING PARTNERS: Oregon State shared a ride to Omaha with Cal State Fullerton.

The Beavers' chartered jet stopped in southern California to pick up the Titans, and then the teams continued on to Omaha.

Fullerton players sat on one side of the plane and Oregon State on the other.

Conversation on the plane was friendly, said Fullerton outfielder Danny Dorn.

"We're all the same, we all have dreams of winning the national championship," Dorn said. "Hopefully we'll meet up with them in the final game."

Fullerton and Oregon State did not play each other during the season.

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BACK IN NEBRASKA: Miami hopes this trip to Nebraska is as fruitful as its last one.

Two weeks ago the Hurricanes advanced to super regionals after sweeping through the Lincoln Regional. Lincoln is about 60 miles from Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium.

After winning in Lincoln, Miami went to Oxford, Miss., and took two of three games from Ole Miss. Miami is the only team in this year's CWS field that played on the road during both regionals and super regionals.

Regardless of what happens, the Hurricanes are guaranteed to end a second straight season in Nebraska. Miami was swept by Nebraska in super regionals last season in Lincoln.

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SHORT HOPS: The 6 millionth fan to attend the College World Series is expected to pass through Rosenblatt's gates on Friday . . . That the ACC landed a record four teams in the CWS wasn't lost on Cal State Fullerton coach George Horton, who joked that he and his team were glad to be playing in the "ACC Tournament." . . . Horton and the Titans are the only team to bring their own sports psychologist. "It's because I'm nuts," he said. . . . The eight CWS teams combined to hit 33 home runs in last weekend's super regionals. Second-seeded Rice led the way with nine homers. . . . North Carolina will send the No. 6 pick from the recent Major League draft to the mound on Friday when the Tar Heels make their first CWS appearance since 1989. Left-hander Andrew Miller, drafted by Detroit, will start against Fullerton.

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AP Sports Writer Eric Olson contributed to this report.