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WATCH: Clemson coach Erik Bakich calls out UCF for 'mouthy' celebrations after sweep of Tigers

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels02/27/23ChandlerVessels
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Brett Davis/Getty Images

Clemson coach Erik Bakich didn’t take kindly to the way UCF responded to a series sweep of the Tigers. Following a 13-6 loss in the third and final game Sunday at home, Bakich criticized the Knights for their “mouthy” celebrations.

“It sucks right now and it leaves a very bitter taste in our mouth,” he said. “Especially with a team that’s very mouthy in the way that they celebrate on the field. That’s double tough. But we are going to find out a way to be better and we will be better in the long run.”

Clemson was 4-0 entering the series against UCF. However, the Tigers lost 4-2 on Friday for their first loss of the season and continued to struggle Saturday, falling 10-7.

Clemson gave up three runs in the first inning on Sunday but responded with four of its own to take a narrow lead into the second. The game remained close for a while after that and was tied at 6 entering the seventh inning. However, the Tigers never scored another run as things began to unravel from there.

UCF scored a combined seven runs over the next two innings to pull away for good. Meanwhile, Clemson recorded just one hit during that span. The Tigers used six pitchers in the loss, giving up 15 hits, walking four and striking out 12.

Erik Bakich is in his first season as Clemson’s head coach after taking over for Monte Lee this offseason. He previously spent 10 years as the coach at Michigan from 2013-22, leading the Wolverines to their first College World Series appearance in 35 years during 2019 and being named National Coach of the Year.

He takes over a Tigers team that has not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2019. He’ll hope to turn things around eventually, but the results from this weekend indicate it could be a tough road ahead.

Clemson will hope to bounce back from getting swept by UCF when it takes on USC Upstate on Tuesday.