It’s not often you see manager meltdowns in college baseball, but Elliott Avent flipped the script Monday.
The NC State baseball head coach made an early exit in the Wolfpack’s do-or-die NCAA regional game against Coastal Carolina after arguing balls and strikes in the third inning.
Avent, however, didn’t go quietly, storming onto the field to argue with home plate umpire Scott Higgins. Avent quickly was ejected, but he made sure to get his money’s worth. His blowup included one incredible spin move that would make Barry Sanders proud.
NC State coach Elliott Avent went CRAZY over this non-strike call! pic.twitter.com/fchtf2GAlK
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) June 6, 2016
Where do you even begin? The spin move was, of course, phenomenal and is all anyone’s talking about. But don’t undersell the hilarity that is a grown man walking across a baseball field carrying a leather briefcase after arguing (on his tippy-toes) with a group of other grown men.
The good news for Avent is that the Wolfpack — perhaps inspired by his actions — went on to win 8-1 to force a winner-take-all game that will be played Tuesday in Raleigh. The bad news? He’ll have to sit out the next two games, including Tuesday’s game and potentially the first game of a super regional should NC State knock off the Chanticleers.
“I’m disappointed for my players that I wasn’t able to lead them in tonight’s game,” Avent said in a statement, per The News and Observer. “I love my players and I couldn’t be more proud of how they responded earlier today. They know I’ll fight for them, and I regret not being in the dugout tonight.”
