What Erik Bakich said about Clemson baseball’s Cam Cannarella’s ejection in loss to Tennessee

Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich was not very happy when the umpiring crew informed him that leadoff hitter and ACC Freshman of the Year Cam Cannarella was ejected in the 13th inning of the Tigers’ Clemson Regional game against Tennessee.

About an hour later, Bakich still isn’t sure what exactly happened in an interaction between Cannarella, who was ejected after jogging from centerfield following an inning-ending double play, and Tennessee’s Zane Denton, who was a baserunner on the play. Clemson and Tennessee were tied at 5 at the time, with the Vols winning 6-5 in 14 innings at Doug Kingsmore Stadium.

“After the double play when (Clemson pitcher Nick) Clayton was in the game, our team was all excited running off the field,” Bakich said. “Again, I didn’t see what happened. I didn’t see it. Our guys didn’t know what was going on. The explanation (from the umpires) was something he said was directed to the other team. They ejected him for it. I didn’t hear it.”

The umpires told Bakich that since unsportsmanlike warnings were given in the 7th inning, after Clemson pitcher Caden Grice and Tennessee’s Christian Scott talked back to one another after an at-bat, Cannarella’s chirping toward Tennessee players warranted an ejection. In short, both teams ran out of leeway with the umpires.

EJECTED: Clemson baseball’s Cam Cannarella ejected vs. Tennessee, will miss Sunday’s elimination game

“The explanation was there was already a warning issued earlier in the game for unsportsmanlike,” Bakich said. “The umpires got together and issued warnings.”

Bakich confirmed Cannarella will be suspended, by NCAA rule, for Sunday’s elimination game between the Tigers and Charlotte. His absence leaves a big hole atop the order and at centerfield. Cannarella went 3-for-5 with two doubles on Saturday, including an RBI double in the 9th inning that sent the game to extra innings.

“I know everyone was excited and screaming and yelling. … That is the rule,” Bakich said. “I understand the rule and I am all for sportsmanship. I didn’t hear what Cam said. I asked our guys, they didn’t hear it either.”

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What Erik Bakich said about Clemson baseball’s Cam Cannarella ejection