Gene Pierce Class: Senior Hometown: Columbia, SC High School: A.C. Flora High School Height / Weight: 6-2 / 215 Position: C Bats/Throws: R/R

Reserve catcher who does many things for the program that often times go unseen...one of just two seniors on the team...in three years, he is 3-for-10 with three runs scored, a double, homer, walk, and three RBIs in 21 career games off the bench...the only Tiger to play in a game during the 2001 season, as he red-shirted in 2002 in his second season in the program.

LEGGETT COMMENTS: "Gene has spent a lot of time in our baseball program. He originally walked on and has put himself in a position to play this season. His throwing arm is very good, strong, and accurate. His offensive skills are also improving all the time. Gene's an excellent leader, and has performed outstanding in the classroom while being an engineering major. He has a great future ahead of him."

2004: Saw action in seven games and was 0-for-3 at the plate...had 14 putouts with no errors behind the plate.

2003: Was 2-for-5 with two runs scored, a double, and two RBIs in eight games...was 2-for-2 with two outs...lined a pinch-hit single and came around to score in the second game of a doubleheader at #16 Auburn on Feb. 22...had a two-run double off the bench against Wofford on Mar. 24.

2002: Red-shirted.

2001: A walk-on who appeared in six games as a catcher...valuable bullpen catcher for Tiger relief pitchers...came off the bench in game three of the New York Tech series to hit his first career home run; also played in all three games of the series...played against Richmond, Ohio, and UNLV as well.

BEFORE CLEMSON: All-state catcher at A.C. Flora High as a senior...played in the North-South All-Star game...All-Region III-AAA, and all-area team selection in 1999 and 2000...team MVP as a senior after garnering defensive team MVP honors as a junior...Wendy's High School Heisman winner for A.C. Flora High as a senior...team won the Region III-AAA title in 1999...lettered four times in baseball and three times in cross country...coached by Andy Hallett.

PERSONAL: Majoring in civil engineering...three-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll...born Gene Earl Pierce III on Apr. 3, 1982 in Lexington, SC.