Clemson baseball season ends in 13 crazy innings vs Florida: Big homers, ejections and one incredible catch
CLEMSON — Clemson baseball's season is over.
After taking the lead in the top of the 13th inning, the No. 1 region seed Tigers (44-16) lost 11-10 to Florida (34-28) Sunday in Game 2 of the Clemson Super Regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Michael Robertson’s walk-off two-run single lifted the Gators to their second straight College World Series.
Robertson's hit was set up by Dale Thomas’ sacrifice bunt that advanced Jaylen Guy (pinch running for Luke Heyman, who reached on a single) to third base and Tyler Shelnut to second.
The Gators cranked three two-run homers Sunday and made timely hits to build an early lead.
Clemson battled back, tying the game in the ninth thanks to Cam Cannarella's three-run homer and taking the lead with Alden Mathes' solo home run in the 13th. Cannarella saved the Tigers' season in the 10th, too, making an over-the-shoulder catch near the center field wall.
Blake Wright went 4-for-6 with a home run and two RBIs, and Cannarella was 2-for-6 with a homer and four RBIs.
Florida's power overwhelms Clemson baseball in NCAA super regional
The Gators hit three two-run home runs Sunday that helped them capture their 14th College World Series appearance. Pitcher/designated hitter Jac Caglianone hit one in the first inning off Aidan Knaak to give Florida the 2-0 lead.
Catcher Brody Donay belted one off Reed Garris in the sixth for a 7-4 lead, and right fielder Ashton Wilson added another vs. Austin Gordon in the eighth.
Clemson baseball's Jack Crighton, Erik Bakich, Jack Leggett ejected
Florida recorded the final out of the top of the second inning when Caglianone tagged Clemson's Nolan Nawrocki hard on the first base line. They exchanged words and needed to be separated after the collision, leading to both dugouts clearing.
According to the NCAA, both dugouts received unsportsmanlike warnings, and Jack Crighton, who was a runner on second when the play began, was ejected for "unsportsmanlike code violation."
Per ESPN's broadcast, the sophomore was ejected for leaving his position and going to the site of the altercation. He will miss his next game, regardless of when it is.
MORE: Why was Jack Crighton ejected? Why Tigers 1B left Clemson Super Regional game vs. Florida
Clemson coach Erik Bakich and former head coach Jack Leggett (now a program development assistant with the Tigers) were ejected in the top of the 13th inning after Mathes' go-ahead homer. According to ESPN's broadcast, it is a two-game suspension for both coaches.
Clemson's Austin Gordon shines out of bullpen
Gordon entered the game in the sixth inning to contain Florida from erupting after Donay's homer. He delivered, logging a career-high 10 strikeouts, and allowing two runs and two hits in five innings.
The junior kept Clemson around long enough for its offense to tie the game in the ninth. It was his longest outing of the season, throwing 86 pitches.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson baseball season ends vs Florida in 13 crazy innings
