Duke coach Chris Pollard hammers NCAA over ejections, suspension of AJ Gracia ahead of Super Regional

There was plenty of controversy surrounding Duke and Oklahoma State in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, as Chris Pollard explained. The Blue Devils head coach was baffled by the ejection of star play AJ Gracia.

Gracia hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to begin a late rally in a 3-2 win over the Cowboys. After he cut the lead, Pollard’s squad saw Sam Harris drive in two runs with a long single to take a 3-2 lead.

There was a controversial ending due to a runner leaving the lane violation in the ninth, resulting in the final out and an Oklahoma State loss. But, what was even more mind boggling was Gracia’s ejection as Duke took the lead in the eighth as he was in the middle of celebration.

“Incredibly disappointed in the rule and the way the rule was interpreted and executed tonight,” Pollard said postgame. “AJ Gracia, who’s one of the best players in college baseball, hit a home run earlier in the inning to put us within one run. We have a celebration in our dugout where we give the construction helmet to the player that makes a big play. It’s a symbol of our blue collar culture, and it’s something that we rally around, and it gets our guys excited and creates energy. 

“AJ was wearing the helmet because he had just hit the home run later in the inning, Sam Harris hits a single. We score from first on a single to take the lead in the championship game of regional to go to a Super Regional. Our guys are undoubtedly excited, and they should be, and they jump out of the dugout to high five their teammates as they’re running back over to the dugout.” 

⚠️ Caution Hard Hats Must (Not) Be Worn ⚠️ @coachchris14 breaks down the NCAA ruling on the illegal use of ‘Home Run Props’

His disappointment in the ejection of his star player AJ Gracia, but most importantly his excitement of @DukeBASE clinching a spot in the Supers!! pic.twitter.com/7IQkbD9B3y

— Jack DeLongchamps (@JDelongchamps) June 2, 2025

AJ Gracia ejection baffles head coach Chris Pollard

Now that Pollard set the stage, the celebration seemed pretty harmless right? Pollard thought so, but Gracia was still ejected.

“AJ still had the helmet on from where he had hit the home run and celebrated,” Pollard said. “He took two steps out of our dugout, not to show anybody up, not to not be disrespectful of the game, not to disrespect Oklahoma State, to cheer on his teammate and give him high fives. This rule and this type of action by the umpire is why people get so frustrated with the NCAA. I’m disappointed for AJ Gracia, that he won’t play in one of the biggest games of his life when we start the Super Regional. 

“I’m disappointed for Duke baseball, and I’m disappointed for college baseball, and I want to get that off my chest, and if I get fined, I get fined, but we deserve better than that. AJ Gracia deserves better than that. Our sport deserves better than that.”

There’s no doubt disappointment for one of the most exciting players in college baseball not playing. But Pollard and Duke will take on Murray State or Ole Miss in the Super Regional without Gracia.