Even the most positive, sunshine-blowing Clemson baseball fans were in absolute shambles as they watched Kentucky eliminate the Tigers in the home regional.
They also watched in horror two games before as Clemson's pitching staff nearly lost a shocker against USC Upstate and then also the following game as the Tigers relinquished a late lead to lose to West Virginia, setting up that elimination game against Kentucky.
Fans were ready to march to Erik Bakich's office with pitchforks.
The Omaha drought added another tally and fans were beginning to wonder if Clemson would ever make it back to the College World Series. Was it a warranted thought process? Absolutely.
Clemson had just pieced together an impressive regular season to earn the 8-seed in the NCAA Tournament only to struggle against USC Upstate, blow a late lead against West Virginia, and then get thumped by Kentucky to squander home-field advantage to advance to the Super Regional.
How could any reasonable fan buy back in just weeks after this debacle to end the year?
Bakich in the portal -- that's how.
Although Clemson is losing some key players, headlined by Cam Cannarella, this offseason, it's bringing in some electric bats as well as some much-needed pitching help thanks to the transfer portal. While portal additions are usually routine and just part of the new-age offseason, the big fish that Bakich has been catching have been program-altering.
Guys like Ty Dalley, Nate Savoie, and Ryan Wideman are all considered top-tier bats who should immediately come in and have an impact. Two of those guys (Dalley and Wideman) are legitimate 2025 MLB Draft prospects who will hear their names called and be faced with a tough decision afterward.
Bakich finished with another 40-plus-win season and knew that his team was good but just not great and now he's doing everything necessary to make sure they're not just great but elite.
If these guys all make it to campus, 2026 will be a fun year.