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Florida-Clemson scuffle leads to controversial ejection of Tiger player
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Game 2 of the Clemson Super Regional saw some early controversy as a lengthy review concluded with a surprise ejection.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Florida pitcher Jac Caglianone fielded a ground ball hit by Nolan Nawrocki. Caglianone made a hard tag on the unassisted out. Being the second game of a best-of-3 series for a spot in Omaha, tensions are running high.
There was a collision, words exchanged and a shove in a brief scuffle between Caglianone and Nawrocki. The incident, which saw players leave benches, prompted a lengthy review.
After a stoppage of over 15 minutes, the ejection of Jack Crighton was announced to the surprise of many.
Crighton was on the basepaths, having hit a 2-out double earlier in the inning. The TV broadcast relayed that Crighton was ejected for leaving his position on the field and involving himself in the altercation. If the Super Regional goes to a Game 3, Crighton will be suspended and unavailable to play.
A bit of trouble between Clemson and Florida pic.twitter.com/dl1qo7UmyS
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) June 9, 2024
Wow, Clemson head coach Erik Bakich tells the umpire “You tell him” to Jack Crighton, who was just ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/BmSrOPWwGZ
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) June 9, 2024
The moment Crighton was ejected pic.twitter.com/DevMLSFgDb
— David Hood (@MDavidHood) June 9, 2024
Crighton’s ejection fired up the Tigers and their fans, who vocally disapproved of the umpire’s decision. In the top of the 3rd inning, Clemson tagged Caglianone for 3 runs on a walk, double and home run to go up 3-2. The Gators answered in the bottom of the 3rd with a 2-out RBI, making it 3-3.
Earlier, Caglianone broke the scoring ice in a big way, with a towering 2-run homer to center.
Jac Caglianone doing Jactani things! #Gators pitcher helps his cause at the plate with a 432-foot 2-run homer over the batter's eye to give UF a 2-0 lead in Game 2 of Clemson Super Regional.pic.twitter.com/5Yprf0QkzP
— Saturday Down South (@SatDownSouth) June 9, 2024
The game is currently airing on ESPN.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
