Sports

Strategic Bullpen Location Allowed Clemson Fans To Mock Rival Against Baseball Coach’s Instruction

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by Last Updated
Clemson baseball fans gather around the bullpen

© Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Clemson baseball team defeated rival South Carolina in the rubber match of a three-game series. That win gave the Tigers bragging rights for a third straight season.

Fans celebrated Sunday’s decisive victory after the fact. They ignored direction from coach Erik Bakich in doing so.

The annual showdown between the Tigers and Gamecocks is one of the sport’s best. In the not-so-distant past, both teams were regarded as national title contenders. Now, just one is playing on a championship level.

South Carolina is trending down across the last decade. The program that appeared in three straight College World Series finals between 2010-2012 is a shell of its former self.

The Gamecocks have not made the field in Omaha over the last 13 years. They have missed the NCAA Tournament altogether six times in that span. They are in danger of missing out again this season.

Clemson owns the baseball rivalry.

They’ve now gone 8-3 across the last 11 games. After dropping the opener in this year’s bout, the 15th-ranked Tigers bounced back for consecutive victories to take the series.

Much was made of the Gamecocks’ antics in Friday night’s win. Players celebrated during the last few innings of a 7-0 shutout. Pitcher Alex Valentin was particularly excessive.

Erik Bakich commented on the dramatics following a Game 2 victory. He took a subtle jab at his rival after deadlocking the series.

“We’ve got another big one tomorrow, which is why we don’t celebrate out of control like we just won the World Series after one win,” he said in a clear reference to South Carolina.

He’d later expand upon those remarks to clarify his stance on poor sportsmanship.

“I’m totally good with celebrating,” Bakich said. “For me, the line is when it goes from celebrating for your team to directing your energy to the other team.”

Fans did not follow his instruction.

As previously mentioned, this is arguably the top rivalry in the college baseball. The passion of both fanbases contributes to that status.

Clemson baseball fans remembered Alex Valentin’s disrespectful actions. They redirected the trash talk back to the pitcher on Sunday with the help of a recent stadium change.

The Tigers moved the opposing bullpen at Doug Kingsmore Stadium ahead of the 2025 season to make room for a beer garden.

Rival pitchers previously warmed up outside the field of play. Now, they are in the line of fire.

The new bullpen is located along the left field wall, allowing fans to line the area while spewing insults at their opposition.

The Tigers let Gamecocks pitching have it both during and after the game. They aimed their postgame celebration at Alex Valentin as he exited the area on Sunday.

In doing so, they ignored Erik Bakich’s sportsmanship outlook by “directing energy to the other team” as opposed to simply celebrating victory. It was the very thing the fanbase complained about on Friday night.

In the end, it makes little difference. Fans are not players. Clemson deserved to celebrate. Valentin received a dose of karma.

South Carolina will have to wait another 365 days for a chance to reclaim bragging rights.