Clemson Tigers News: Erik Bakich, Cam Cannarella, ACC-SEC Challenge
By John Chancey
Erik Bakich finally has his postgame press conference
Clemson Baseball bowed out of their Super Regional 2-0 to Florida, but Game 2 turned into an ump show.
By the end of it, head coach Erik Bakich and two others had been ejected from the game.
Bakich was also suspended by the refs, so by the rules of the NCAA, he was not allowed to address the media immediately following the game.
Bakich got his chance to address the situations that occurred in Game 2 yesterday, and he didn’t dance around the subject.
Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich: “I deserved the two-game suspension … I’d do it again.” He adds that the school has been in contact with ACC for potential suspension appeals and “making sure the reports match up with video review,” but he’ll likely end up serving it pic.twitter.com/yUUww4o6Of
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) June 12, 2024
Bakich is correct. When was the last time you heard the NCAA say “Yeah, that was our mistake. We’ll fix that.”? What's done is done. Move on.
Bakich also commented that he thought Kevin O’Sullivan’s substance check on pitcher Austin Gordon was stupid.
Cam Cannarella to have offseason surgery
Clemson’s star of Game 2, Cam Cannarella, also addressed the media Wednesday. Cannarella confirmed he is returning next season and will be having surgery this summer for an injury he suffered in the fourth game of the season.
Clemson sophomore All-American outfielder Cam Cannarella on seeing social media rumors of him possibly transferring and shutting that talk down: “I love the coaches, love the facilities … I’m not going anywhere” pic.twitter.com/diboo4ZZOZ
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) June 12, 2024
Other news and notes from around Clemson athletics:
Two other Clemson Baseball players confirmed they will return for 2025. Aidan Knaak did so in person at the press conference.
Clemson freshman All-American pitcher Aidan Knaak on the transfer portal opening up, other teams possibly contacting him w offers: “This is the best coaching staff in the country … I’m not going anywhere” pic.twitter.com/2HnVbVtjXY
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) June 12, 2024
Both Knaak and Cannarella have been named as All-Americans by the National College Baseball Writers Association.
The future is bright! 😎@CamCannarella & @aidan_knaak are @NCBWA All-Americans! They are the 6️⃣7️⃣th & 6️⃣8️⃣th All-Americans in #Clemson history! 🐅
— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) June 12, 2024
Knaak is also the fourth Tiger freshman & first Clemson freshman pitcher to earn All-America honors.https://t.co/MMZwxo5fmz pic.twitter.com/ZNSzUKGY0c
Andrew Ciufo also announced that he will return to the Tigers next season. Ciufo was injured and missed the second half of the 2024 campaign.
— Andrew Ciufo (@AndrewCiufo) June 12, 2024
Bakich mentioned that he expects both Will Taylor and Tristan Smith to turn professional.
Bakich says he is moving with the expectation that pitcher Tristan Smith and outfielder Will Taylor will get selected in the MLB draft and sign.
— Derrian Carter (@DerrianCarter00) June 12, 2024
Clemson Men’s Basketball learned another non-conference opponent yesterday when the ACC-SEC Challenge matchups were announced.
The Tigers will host the Kentucky Wildcats at Littlejohn Coliseum
Tigers and Cats in Clemson for the first time since 1933!#ClemsonGRIT pic.twitter.com/bi4ylVE51b
— Clemson Basketball (@ClemsonMBB) June 12, 2024
Clemson Women’s Basketball will host the Florida Gators in head coach Shawn Poppie's first season in charge of the Tigers.
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