Erik Bakich addresses possibility of appeal after ejection vs. Florida

Postseason play can be emotionally charged, especially with your season on the line. That was certainly the case was for Clemson Tigers head coach Erik Bakich in the Tigers’ Super Regional showdown against the Florida Gators.

In Game 2 of the epic series, Bakich and assistant coach Jack Leggett were tossed from the game in the top of the 13th inning. As a result of their ejections, both must serve a suspension in their next game, which will be the start the 2025 season. But does Bakich plan on protesting the suspension? According to the Clemson head coach, he wasn’t aware he could do that.

Try Fubo for FREE today and don’t miss any of the action!

“We haven’t. I don’t know about that request. I’ve never heard of that,” Bakich said. “As far as I know, there is no oversight or anything like that. We’re not talking about all umpires; we’re talking about it just happens to be in back-to-back years we’ve had ejections. And maybe that’s just a very weird coincidence.

“If there is an appeal process, I’ve been in contact with the ACC — we’re looking at maybe getting some video and just making sure that the reports and the video evidence lined up and see if there to appeal,” Bakich continued. “What would we be appealing? Maybe the suspension of two games? But I deserve to get a two-game suspension based on staying out there and arguing for so long. Like that’s very black and white. I got a warning for two games, and I ignored it, and I would do that again, too. … Yeah, sorry, I don’t apologize for being competitive there.”

Both Tigers coaches were ejected late in the thrilling 13-inning battle at the top of what would be the final inning. The coaches were attempting to defend Alden Mathes, who was issued a warning after slamming his bat and ultimately tossed from the game as well. Mathes’ solo home run was enough to give Clemson the 10-9 lead heading into the bottom of the inning. Unfortunately, Florida doubled up Clemson’s run production in the next half inning to win the game in walk-off fashion, 11-10.

While it was hard to watch the Gators celebrating a berth in this year’s College World Series on the Tigers’ home field, Bakich doesn’t have any quarrel with facing any consequences and simply wants to move past it altogether. Now, as for his issues with the umpires as a whole, that might be a different story.