Erik Bakich Makes Bold Omaha Promise After Clemson's Season-Ending Loss
Erik Bakich Makes Bold Omaha Promise After Clemson's Season-Ending Loss originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson's season came to a crashing halt Sunday afternoon with a 16-4 loss to Kentucky in the NCAA Regional elimination game, but head coach Erik Bakich's message after the game wasn't one of disappointment. It was one of urgency — and bold optimism.
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'This team is going back to Omaha,' Bakich said at the postgame press conference. 'Clemson baseball is going back to Omaha. It's going to happen.'
It's a strong promise for a program that hasn't made it to the College World Series since 2010 — a fact Bakich didn't shy away from. If anything, he leaned into it.
'Clemson baseball hasn't been to Omaha since 2010. We know. We've got it. We're doing everything in our power to fix that,' he said. 'Falling short like this is not the standard. That's not what this program is about.'
The Tigers, who finish 45-18, were overwhelmed by Kentucky's offense, giving up 11 runs across the third and fourth innings. The blowout loss capped off a brutal end to Clemson's postseason, with back-to-back lopsided defeats after a promising start to the regional.
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Despite the way things ended, Bakich said this team 'overachieved' after losing a significant amount of production from last year's roster.
'There was never a question of effort, of attitude,' Bakich said. 'They found ways to flex their mental toughness and get ahead.'
With the offseason now underway, Bakich made it clear Clemson will be aggressive in retooling the roster — starting with the transfer portal.
'You've gotta have good players,' he said. 'This is a place where you can get anyone to come play.'
Clemson Head Coach Erik Bakich and outfielder Cam Cannarella (10) hug after the NCAA baseball Clemson Regional at Doug Kingsmore Stadium© Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Bakich and his staff conduct a weekly 'needs assessment' to evaluate the current roster and identify targets. Their top priority heading into the offseason? Arms.
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'Pitching covers up a lot,' Bakich said. 'We need more and more guys who can just shut it down … and guys that can change a game with one swing.'
Players like Cam Cannarella, who extended his hitting streak to 22 games Sunday, and Dominic Listi, who set an ACC record with his 30th hit-by-pitch, gave the Tigers consistency, but not enough firepower when it mattered most.
Still, Bakich believes the foundation is set — and his vision for where Clemson baseball is going couldn't be more clear.
'This is Clemson. We're going to attract the right guys,' he said. 'Now we've got to go get them. We've got work to do, and we're not backing down.'
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Related: Cannarella likely done at Clemson after postseason collapse MLB draft call looms
Related: Los Angeles Dodgers Get a Steal With Cam Cannarella in Mock Draft
Related: Larry Fitzgerald's Son Announces Major Offer From Top College Football Program
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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