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Jack Crighton ejected: Reactions as Clemson baseball 1B leaves super regional vs. Florida

ehsan kassim, usa today network
·4 min read

A brief spat at the end of the top of the second inning in Game 2 of the Clemson Super Regional between No. 6 Clemson and Florida saw Tigers' Jack Crighton ejected following a lengthy review.

On the play, Gators' pitcher Jac Caglianone fielded a ball off the bat off designated hitter Nolan Nawrocki and applied a hard tag on Nawrocki near first base and in front of the Clemson dugout. Nawrocki took exception to the tag from Caglianone and pushed him. Caglianone shoved Nawrocki in turn, causing both benches to empty onto the field, though it didn't escalate from there.

REQUIRED READING: Clemson baseball vs Florida live score updates in NCAA super regional Game 2

However, Crighton — who had doubled as the previous batter — ran toward where players had gathered after rounding third base. He appeared to be ejected for making contact with one of the umpires, though he was later ruled to have left his position on the field to gather near where players had gathered.

Per the NCAA, "Both dugouts received unsportsmanlike warnings; Crighton was ejected for 'unsportsmanlike code violation.' Clemson ― which dropped Game 1 on Saturday ― took a 3-2 lead on a two-run home run from Blake Wright off Caglianone. Florida tied it 3-3 in the bottom of the third. If the Tigers win, they force a Game 3 on Monday. If the Gators win, they advance to the CWS for the second straight year.

The replay review of the dust-up was lengthy and left the broadcast wondering if Caglianone would be ejected, which would also come with a single-game suspension for Florida's next game.

Caglianone had initially hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to give the Gators a 2-0 lead, his 33rd home run of the season.

Here's a look at some of the reactions on social media to the ejection of Crighton:

Jack Crighton ejected vs. Florida: Social media reactions

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Jack Crighton ejected: Social reactions as Clemson player leaves Florida game