Ad Disclosure
Clemson ejections: Reason coaches, not player, tossed revealed
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Game 2 of the Clemson-Florida Super Regional series was more than just a back-and-forth 13-inning NCAA Tournament instant classic. There were multiple controversies with the home team and its fans upset with the umpire crew.
Early in the game, a play at first base led to an uninvolved Clemson player being tossed for leaving his place on the field and joining the brief scuffle. Later in the game, two Tigers coaches were tossed.
Daily Fantasy Sports action is heating up! Use our Underdog Fantasy promo to get signed up!
Alden Mathes hit a go-ahead solo home run for Clemson in the top of the 13th inning. It was widely assumed that Mathes was ejected for slamming his bat in celebration.
Alden Mathes hit a go ahead HR to potentially save his team’s season but was issued a warning after this bat spike which led to 2 Clemson coaches being ejected
Sick Ump show @BarstoolClemson
pic.twitter.com/WCaTZ21jPj— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 9, 2024
Jack Leggett, a legendary Clemson head coach who now serves as a Tiger assistant, was tossed, along with head coach Erik Bakich. Media members and fans were under the initial impression that Mathes had also been tossed and the coaches were ejected for arguing that decision.
Mathes, though, was not ejected, returning to the outfield in the bottom of the inning. Fans and media members were confused what Leggett and Bakich were arguing about with the umpires since Mathes was not removed from the game.
Erik Bakich going at the umpires for about 45 seconds to argue a potential ejection on an Alden Mathes bat spike … and hypes up the crowd on his way back. The dugout loves it pic.twitter.com/OQO6jngi64
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) June 9, 2024
Erik Bakich is electric pic.twitter.com/KxMaKKdCHR
— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) June 9, 2024
David Hood of TigerNet relayed clarification after the game. Leggett was tossed for his reaction to Mathes receiving a warning.
Some clarification…Mathes slammed his bat down but did it towards the Clemson dugout. He was warned by the ump, which set Leggett off because everybody saw Caglianone do it and not get a warning.
— David Hood (@MDavidHood) June 10, 2024
At this time, we’re not getting an explanation from Bakich as he was not part of the postgame press conference due to his ejection. It was stated on the ESPN broadcast that he would not have been allowed to coach a Game 3 if the series had reached that point.
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.
