Published Feb 26, 2023
UCF sweeps Clemson; Tigers coach says Knights were "mouthy"
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Brandon Helwig  •  UCFSports
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UCF Baseball finished off the sweep of Clemson on Sunday, marking the first time in 40 years the Tigers were swept at home by a non-conference opponent.

After a 4-2 win in game one that concluded on Saturday, UCF's bats exploded for 10-7 and 13-6 victories in the latter two games of the series.

UCF second baseman Tom Josten smashed three home runs during the weekend, including two on Sunday. As a team, the Knights hit a total of seven homers between games two and three.


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According to those at the game, it seemed Clemson did not appreciate UCF's home run celebrations, an apparent homage to football coach Gus Malzahn's trademark "boom" cheer.


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Clemson head coach Erik Bakich expressed his irritation during his press conference opening statement.

"It sucks right now and it leaves a very bitter taste in our mouth, especially with a team that's very mouthy in the way they celebrate on our own field," Bakich said.

Bakich, a former head coach at Maryland and Michigan and in his first year at Clemson, later said he regards UCF as an ACC-caliber opponent.

"I would put UCF in that same category as a program that's a regional contender," Bakich said. "They're going to the Big 12. They've got very talented players. It's a conference-esque caliber weekend. This type of league will chew you up and spit you out if you can't take that punch."

After the game, members of the UCF baseball team made their way to Clemson's football stadium for one final celebration. "Running down the hill" is considered iconic - Brent Musberger has called the entrance as "the most exciting 25 seconds in college football."


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UCF (6-1) visits Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday before hosting Georgia Southern next weekend.


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