CLEMSON — How do you know a moment is cool?
When the head coach taps you on the shoulder and says, “Let’s go do this!”
That is sort of what happened to Clemson third baseman Blake Wright following the Tigers’12-5 victory over Coastal Carolina in the Clemson Regional Finals at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The win advanced Clemson to the Super Regional Round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
“When we were doing the alma mater, Coach Bakich kind of tapped me on the shoulder and was like, ‘We are going to the Cajun Café. We are jumping up there,’” Wright said.
Led by Bakich, Clemson’s entire team made a mad dash to the “Cheap Seats” in right field, which is also the home of the “Cajun Café.” Once there, they climbed up the right field wall and began to celebrate with the fans.
When asked why he jumped into the Cheap Seats with his players, Bakich gave a pretty good answer.
“Screw it! Why not? I like getting in the mix with these guys,” he said. “Sometimes I think I am younger than I am. I was inspired by the moment, and I just wanted to jump up into the crowd.”
Clemson defeated Costal Carolina 12-5 to win the Clemson NCAA Regional Sunday at Clemson’s Doug Kingsmore Stadium. (Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider)
The Tigers (44-14) deserved to jump into the stands and celebrate with their fans. They had just won the program’s first regional in 14 years.
From 1999-2010, winning regionals is what Clemson did. The Tigers won nine regionals in those 12 seasons while advancing out of the Super Regional Round four times on their way to the College World Series.
In those days, the Tigers celebrating with the fans became in the Cheap Seats and the Cajun Café became the norm. However, that has not been the case the last 14 years.
“We have a picture of it on the wall in our facility. I thought, ‘Man, that would be so cool.’ So, to be able to be a part of that was awesome,” Wright said.
The Tigers (44-14) advanced to host the Clemson Super Regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium against the winner of the Stillwater Regional. The best-of-three series begins either Friday or
“It was amazing to be a part of something like that and to be able to go into the outfield and get to see the fans out there after winning tonight,” Hinderleider said. “That is something that you can’t really describe, it was just a great feeling.”
A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available. Get yours while supplies last! Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!
