Sports

Clemson Baseball Coach Ejected For Sticking Finger In Ump’s Face Over Strikeout That Didn’t Happen

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by

ACC Network / ESPN


Erik Bakich was tossed from a midweek baseball matchup between Clemson and Wake Forest. His ejection was the result of his arguing a strikeout.

That out was recorded for a pitch clock violation, not a called strike. It set the head coach off, leading to his early exit.

The ejection came in the top of the second inning with the Tigers trailing, 3-0. It thwarted a two-out scoring threat as the offense had a runner on third base.

Erik Bakich was ejected.

Shortstop Tyler Lichtenberger stepped up to the dish with one man on facing Wake Forest pitcher Rhys Bowie. He fell behind in the count 0-2.

After entering the box for the third delivery of the at-bat, he asked the home plate umpire for time. That request was not granted.

Still, Lichtenberger stepped out of the box to reset. When he re-entered, he was rung up. It ended the frame.

The NCAA rulebook details an offensive violation as follows:

Batters are expected to enter the batter’s box promptly prior to the first pitch of an at-bat and should remain in the vicinity of batter’s box. Batters should not delay entry to gain an undue advantage. If the batter does not enter the box and become alert to the pitcher and ready to hit with eight (8) or more seconds remaining, the batter will be adjudged to have violated the rule, and the umpire shall award a strike without the pitcher having to deliver the pitch. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance.

-Appendix F.II.9

Bakich leapt out of the dugout to voice his displeasure. He got that point across by pointing his finger in the blue’s face.

The head coach walked back to the dugout without issue, though he would later be tossed for continuing his argument from the bench.

Again, Bakich hopped up to confront the umpire. His night ended soon thereafter.

The Tigers would not respond.

Wake Forest led by three runs at the time of Erik Bakich’s ejection. They’d go onto lose by run rule, 15-4.

The game was called after seven innings. Clemson fell to 19-11 on the baseball season.

While the Tigers did push a run across in the top of the third, the Demon Deacons responded with four runs in the bottom half of the frame to increase their advantage to 7-1.

The lead grew to 8-1 in the fourth before Clemson closed the gap with a three-run fifth.

Unfortunately, their hopes of a comeback would be crushed in the bottom of the sixth. Wake Forest capped a seven-run inning in dramatic fashion with a grand slam off the bat of Javar Williams.

The Demon Deacons improved to 21-9 with the win. Despite the contest involving a pair of ACC members, the midweek contest does not count towards the league standings.