FULLERTON, Calif. \u2014 When Clemson arrived in California Wednesday afternoon to play in this weekend\u2019s Fullerton Regional, one of the first things the players decided to do was hit the beach, Huntington Beach to be exact.
\nWith Tyler Krieger as the tour guide, the Tigers were given the evening off and the team took the 30-mile drive south from their hotel. It was the first time most of the players saw the California Coast Line, everyone except Krieger who lived in Orange County, California when he was a child.
\n\u201cIt was fun. It was a good time,\u201d the junior second baseman said. \u201cWe got to look at the beach and go out on the pier and kind of relax before we get into this regional.\u201d
\nThe Tigers (32-27) get into the regional on Friday when they take on second seed Arizona at 6 p.m. (EST). Host Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine will play in the second game at 10 p.m.
\n\u201cWe had a good flight yesterday,\u201d Clemson head coach Jack Leggett said. \u201cWe let the kids out in a beach town called Huntington Beach. They had about two hours to themselves to grab something to eat and I think that was a really good thing.
\n\u201cWe got to the hotel last night and it seemed like a long night because we lost three hours somewhere down the line. We feel rested and feel good. I think the players had a really crisp practice (today). I think they are ready to go tomorrow.\u201d
\nOn Thursday, Krieger told The Clemson Insider the last 24 hours have been pretty relaxing. The Tigers chartered a plane to California, went to Huntington Beach, got to sleep in this morning so the players could adjust to the time change, had a late breakfast, a team-meeting and then went to practice.
\n\u201cIf anything today helped us get relaxed a little bit,\u201d Krieger said. \u201cSome of the guys were saying that they felt as if they had a little more time than normal. We are fine with the time zone. It is a beautiful place and beautiful weather. I can\u2019t wait to play tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n