Sports

Egregious Double Ejection Follows Clemson Slugger’s Bat Spike Celebration After Go-Ahead Extra Inning HR

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Clemson baseball's Alden Mathes celebrates a hit while running down the baseline.

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The Clemson baseball team competed in the Super Regionals over the weekend, facing off against Florida for an opportunity to move onto the College World Series. Game 2 of the series provided both chaos and excitement.

There were three ejections in the game to go along with 21 combined runs in a 13-inning slugfest. Each of those ejected parties were Tigers.

After dropping the opener, Clemson faced elimination on Sunday. Things were chippy right from the get-go!

Benches cleared early in the matchup when Tigers designated hitter Nolan Nawrocki hit a dribbler up the first base line. Florida pitcher Jac Caglianone fielded the ground ball then tagged Nawrocki out before reaching first.

Nawrocki lowered his shoulder as Caglianone placed his tag, causing the two to collide. Some pushing and shoving ensued before the Clemson slugger was tossed from the action.

Tensions remained high from then on out.

The contest was back and forth, seeing the Tigers tie things up with a three-run ninth-inning bomb off the bat of Cam Cannarella.

The centerfielder would then save his team in extras with an incredible defensive effort that kept the winning run from crossing home for the Gators.

His efforts looked as if they’d be rewarded in the top of the 13th inning when teammate Alden Mathes cranked a solo shot to give his team the lead. Drama would follow!

Two Clemson baseball coaches were ejected after the play.

After connecting on the no-doubt home run, Mathes spiked his bat while making his way down the first base line. That landed a warning from the umpiring crew – which set off the Tigers coaching staff.

Assistant Jack Leggett was the first to voice his frustration, not-so-politely telling the crew to kick rocks.

Head coach Erik Bakich did the same shortly thereafter.

Both coaches were tossed and handed a two-game suspension.

The bogus ejections have become somewhat of a trend for the Clemson baseball team, which saw a similar scene unfold in last year’s Regional during an extra inning loss to Tennessee.

Unfortunately, another Tiger trend continued, too, with Clemson failing to reach Omaha. While Mathes’s home run provided a one-run lead, Florida would walk things off on a two-run double in the bottom of the frame.

Clemson’s season is now over while the Gators move onto the College World Series.